Clark County board approves MOU letting CCYA use Justice Elementary field but bars 5th–6th travel tackle team

The Clark County Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Clark County Youth Athletics (CCYA) to allow CCYA continued use of the athletic field beside Justice Elementary School while excluding fifth- and sixth-grade travel tackle teams, the board decided at its regular meeting.

Board members and staff said the revised agreement preserves community access for recreation and flag football through age 18 but restricts use by one travel-tackle program because that travel program already offers football outside the agreement.

Why it matters: The field has been a long-standing site for community youth sports. Residents and local coaches said access affects youth participation, school pride and volunteer-run programs. Board members said the revised MOU aims to reduce conflicts between school-run and independent travel programs while keeping the field available for broad community uses.

Community speakers pressed the board during public comment. “The community wants to play on the field,” resident Steven Francis told the board, adding that the field has been “a tradition in the community” and that youth sports provide an outlet for students. He said losing access to the field would reduce participation and might remove a path that helped him stay engaged in school. “Do not take this away from the children,” Francis said.

Longtime coach James Day said some volunteers felt “completely excluded” from earlier talks. “There will be kids that will have to — and I wish the middle school the best of luck — but there are also parents that have said to us, we just want to do what we did last year,” Day said, adding that the lack of communication made the process “weird.” He also warned that the first year of the MOU’s restricted arrangement would be closely watched by families and volunteers.

Brandon Watkins, who presented the revised MOU language to the board, summarized changes made after earlier discussions: “We changed the wording to allow all ages for recreation and flag. Basically, the only thing, it does not allow a 5–6 travel team as RDC is offering football there for free and keeping all the kids that come out.” Watkins said the board had sought wording that would reduce competition for the same players during the travel program’s season.

Board members said the agreement leaves room for other accommodations. According to board discussion, facility requests outside the travel team’s season window may still be considered; the board emphasized the school district will evaluate requests case by case.

The board recorded the decision as a formal motion; the motion passed 3–0. The motion was recorded as moved by Mister Kaiser and seconded by Miss Thomas.

The item follows earlier meetings and additional talks between board members and CCYA representatives; board members described the revised MOU as an attempt to reach a compromise after public debate. The board also said it will monitor the arrangement and consider future facility requests that do not conflict with school programs or the specific travel season.

Votes at this meeting included multiple routine items and are recorded separately in a board summary.

Speakers (selected): Steven Francis, resident; James Day, community coach/CCYA affiliate; Brandon Watkins, board staff presenter; Mister Kaiser, board member; Miss Thomas, board member; Mister Howard, superintendent.

Ending note: Board members said they expect additional facility requests and indicated they will handle those requests individually. The board’s action preserves community and recreational uses of the Justice Elementary field while carving out a specific limitation for one travel-tackle cohort.