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Board declines to add girls varsity flag football for 2025–26, citing budget and limited sustained interest
Summary
Public commenters asked the board to add girls flag football as a school sport; after staff review and a recommendation from the superintendent not to add the sport for 2025–26 — citing limited sustained interest, Title IX considerations and budget constraints — the board adopted a resolution not to add the sport for the coming year.
Students and community members urged the Averill Park Board of Education on Feb. 24 to add girls varsity flag football beginning in 2025–26; after public comment and staff review the superintendent recommended against adding the sport for the coming year and the board approved a resolution reflecting that recommendation.
Public comment began with Michael Grady, who identified himself as a fifth grader at Miller Hill–Sand Lake Elementary and described his participation in girls flag football programs. “I want every girl to have the opportunity to experience the joy and confidence I have experienced being a flag football player,” Michael said during the agenda comment period. Adam Muse, who identified himself as a district resident and the head coach of the Averill Park junior girls flag program, told the board his local youth teams had 42 participants this season and asked the board to add a high‑school program so those players would have continuity and competitive opportunities.
Staff review and recommendation: the superintendent reported that the request had been processed according to district policy that evaluates student interest, competitive sustainability, Title IX compliance and cost. Staff said the district’s survey and other data did not show strong, broad interest at the high‑school level; staff also warned adding a new spring sport could reduce participation in other existing girls’ spring offerings and carry recurring costs at a time the district is planning $1.6 million in budget reductions and relying on reserves. The superintendent stated the formal recommendation: do not add girls varsity flag football for spring 2025–26.
Board action: the board considered and approved a resolution reflecting the superintendent’s recommendation that flag football not be added for 2025–26. The resolution text, read into the record, said the district reviewed the request received Nov. 16, 2024, and concluded the district would not add flag football at this time, citing the lack of strong student interest, potential negative competition with existing spring girls sports, Title IX/compliance context and budget constraints. The board’s motion to adopt the recommendation passed; the board chair stated the vote was unanimous.
What the district said about future reconsideration: board members and staff repeatedly said the decision was for the coming year only and could be revisited if participation, funding or other conditions change. Several board members expressed personal support for the idea in principle but said they could not responsibly add a new recurring program while facing multi‑million dollar budget pressures.
Ending: Board members encouraged continued community outreach, improved student and parent communication about surveys and recommended revisiting the request in a future year if the program’s feeder participation and budgetary conditions warrant it.
