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Board approves three‑school boys volleyball co‑op; pilot will run three years with district subsidy expected year one
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Summary
The school board approved a cooperative agreement among Mayo, John Marshall and Century high schools to field a combined boys volleyball program beginning spring 2025. The board approved the co‑op at the meeting and the activity director outlined a modest first‑year subsidy and fundraising plan.
The Rochester Public Schools board voted Feb. 18 to approve a cooperative agreement that will allow Mayo, John Marshall and Century high schools to field a combined boys volleyball program beginning in spring 2025.
Dan Christopher, activities director, told the board the co‑op will be filed with the Minnesota State High School League under the combined team name and launched as a three‑year pilot to assess student interest and financial sustainability. “Providing a sanctioned boys volleyball program creates new opportunities for student engagement and leadership,” Christopher said, describing growth in boys volleyball statewide and club participation that suggested local interest.
Christopher presented a conservative first‑year budget: estimated revenue of $12,815 from participation fees and gate receipts and estimated expenses of $28,835, driven mainly by coaching stipends and transportation. The estimated district subsidy in year one is about $16,020; staff said booster fundraising would be used to offset some costs. Coaches’ pay was estimated at roughly $10,000–$12,000 per coach, officials about $2,300 and transportation about $8,000; teams will seek to maximize home games to reduce bus costs.
The Minnesota State High School League had given preliminary approval pending board action and the activities office expects practice to begin in facilities outside the high‑school gyms (the National Volleyball Center was mentioned as a practice location). The first season start was projected in mid‑March; the co‑op will be evaluated at the end of a three‑year window for sustainability and growth at individual schools.
The board moved the resolution to action and approved the co‑op; during the voice vote one trustee, Dr. Marvin, recorded an abstention and the chair announced the resolution passed. District staff said the program will follow the same fee‑assistance and fundraising expectations as other athletics programs and that booster and school accounts would be used to support uniforms, equipment and event costs. No additional district‑wide activity cuts were proposed to fund the pilot.
