Central Mountain coach seeks PIAA competitive‑cheer status; committee backs forwarding to board

Kristy Dion, head cheerleading coach at Central Mountain High School, told the Keystone Central School District Curricular & Co‑Curricular Committee that she and other coaches want to establish a PIAA‑sanctioned competitive cheer program and asked the committee to consider forwarding a proposal to the full board.

"Competitive cheer is a very fast growing" activity, Dion said, and bringing it under the high‑school umbrella would reduce costs for families who otherwise must join expensive private “all‑star” programs. Dion said initial estimates would cost students about $200 each for the competitive season, covering music, competition fees and some choreography and instruction; she contrasted that with private programs that can cost "close to 9,000 for 1 season." She said the school currently provides uniforms but other equipment such as shoes and practice liners are a family expense.

Athletic Director Mr. Peters and other committee members discussed logistics including season timing, potential overlap with basketball and wrestling, Title IX considerations and facility needs. Peters said that if the district applies for PIAA competitive status, the program would be considered in Title IX calculations. "If we applied for to be a PIAA competitive cheer accepted by PIAA, then yes, the answer would be that would be something that would need to be in consideration to keep that," Peters said.

Dion and an assistant coach said they are willing to volunteer their time in the first year to test interest and sustainability; the committee heard that booster support is in favor. Committee members raised cost, practice space and mat availability as key follow‑up items. The committee did not approve a budget or a formal change at the meeting; members asked staff to place the proposal on the general board agenda for further review.