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Central Mountain coach proposes elementary majorette feeder program; committee moves item to full board for logistics review
Summary
Stephanie Ford, Central Mountain majorette coach, proposed an elementary majorette (baton twirling) program aimed at building fundamentals and creating a feeder pipeline for the varsity team. She requested access to district practice space (proposed Mill Hall Elementary or Rob), said boosters could cover equipment and event costs, and asked the
Stephanie Ford, majorette coach for Central Mountain High School, proposed creating an elementary‑level majorette (baton twirling) program to develop fundamentals, increase early student participation and create a feeder pathway into the high‑school team.
Ford said she has been the majorette coach for about 11 years and described the challenge of integrating students who arrive in fifth grade with little or no baton experience. She proposed an elementary program serving roughly second through fourth grades (with first grade possible depending on interest) that would run on the varsity season calendar (October through May) with shorter practice times for younger students and optional summer skill sessions. Ford said she would prefer to register participants through the district athletic portal to ensure family commitment and consistent paperwork.
Ford described the program’s expected activities: local parade and community performances, participation in the Tournament Indoor Association (TIA) at the elementary/cadet level (which uses a rating system rather than full competitive scoring), and regional events in the Susquehanna Valley region. She said the varsity boosters currently fund much of the high‑school program through fundraising and that the booster organization could cover estimated elementary program costs; she said she did not expect additional district expenses if the district provided appropriate practice space. Ford suggested Mill Hall Elementary or Rob as possible practice locations and said Woodward has been used in the past.
On staffing, Ford said her current high‑school roster of about 18 students practices together with one approved volunteer who assists; she estimated elementary group sizes of roughly five to eight students per session, with the possibility of splitting hours if interest grows. She also said older students (seniors) could volunteer as mentors, supporting instruction and providing role modeling.
Committee members asked about logistics, staffing ratios, registration and potential district costs. Ford said the booster club and fundraising would cover outfit and travel expenses and that the key district need would be a regular practice space. Committee members generally supported the idea and agreed to move the proposal to the full board so administration could review logistics; the committee did not adopt a program policy or allocate funds at this meeting.
Ford noted several program achievements as context: consecutive Atlantic Coast and regional championships (five‑time Atlantic Coast champions excluding COVID years), community performances (including ReliaQuest Bowl appearances), and scholarship awards for some team members through the Tournament Indoor Association.
The committee asked administration to review logistics and return guidance to the board; Ford said she would prepare a handbook and participation expectations for families and noted the program’s emphasis on fun and fundamentals for younger children.
