Board adopts boys junior-high volleyball to replace football starting 2025–26

Weber School District trustees approved adding boys junior-high volleyball at all district junior highs beginning in the 2025–26 school year to replace junior-high football and maintain Title IX compliance.

Nut graf: The district convened a committee that considered soccer, volleyball, golf, lacrosse and wrestling; the committee recommended boys volleyball because it aligns with high-school offerings, uses existing equipment and keeps startup costs low.

District staff said the replacement will use funds left over from junior-high football accounts where appropriate. Brock (district finance) approved $2,500 for each account to help schools start the teams; district staff reported the total district cost to start boys volleyball at 10 junior highs will be “just below $11,000”.

Rob Lay explained football had been costing about $50,000 per school per year; by comparison, the district estimated startup costs for boys volleyball will be a little above $1,000 per school. The district expects team rosters to be in the 18–25 player range, which officials said would restore more balanced participation numbers between boys and girls across junior-high athletics.

The board approved the change on a second reading and agreed to schedule boys volleyball in the fall to coincide with girls softball; staff proposed playing matches on Mondays and Wednesdays to help secure referees and reduce out-of-school absences for cheerleaders and other participants.

Ending: The board adopted the recommendation and asked staff to proceed with implementation and scheduling for the 2025–26 school year.