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Board signals support for co-oping high school sports; formal vote to be added to next agenda
Summary
Board members said they want a formal policy that would allow the district's two high schools to combine teams when a school cannot field a team; members agreed a vote must be scheduled as an agenda item and that IHSA rules and administrative review are required before final action.
A group of board members stated the district should adopt a policy allowing cooperative teams between its two high schools when one school cannot field a team.
One board member told colleagues, "we should say the policy here is that we will coop that team with the other high school," arguing the board has a responsibility to ensure students can access schedule-B athletics. Another board member said that a formal vote on the issue would have to return as a specific agenda item so legal and Illinois High School Association (IHSA) questions could be addressed.
Superintendent Clark and other administrators agreed the topic can be discussed tonight but not voted on. Superintendent Clark said any final policy may need to accommodate "IHSA wrinkles" and that staff will prepare a report on pros and cons for the next meeting.
Why it matters: The discussion was prompted by reports that one high school had too few players for a baseball team this year, leaving six students unable to play. Board members framed the policy as a way to expand access to athletics and to provide certainty to coaches and athletic directors.
Next steps: Board members asked administrators to bring a detailed agenda item at the next meeting including legal guidance, operational details (which school would be the host), and feedback from coaches and athletic directors. No formal vote was taken at the June 10 meeting.
