Parent asks board to recognize gymnastics as official sport rather than club

At open forum a parent urged the board to consider recognizing the district’s gymnastics program as an official sport rather than a club.

Jacob Smith, who identified himself as a parent of athletes on the gymnastics team, told the board that the team has competed for three years and that at least two of those years it advanced to state competitions. He said participation has increased and that several schools in the region already recognize gymnastics as a sport.

Smith asked what steps the parents should take to have gymnastics designated as a sport in the district. A board member and district staff directed Smith to follow up with the administration office and said staff would connect him with the athletics director and Coach Betsy for further discussion. The board did not take formal action on the request during the meeting.

Smith provided regional context, saying he had surveyed programs in a regional coaching association and found many area schools already list gymnastics as a sport. District staff offered to review the request and to speak with relevant administrators about any obstacles to formal recognition.

The district did not set a timetable for a decision; staff asked Smith to provide further information to the administration office so district athletics staff could evaluate feasibility, resources and compliance with district activity policies.