The superintendent and athletic staff told the board they have been addressing parents’ concerns about the newly expanded girls’ participation in the school’s wrestling program and are working to formalize the program for next year.

District leaders described the season as an evolving situation: the program began as mixed competition with a small number of girls, numbers grew, and the athletic department adjusted practice times and provided additional coaching support. Parents raised issues in December about practice space, storage in shower areas and appropriate singlets. The superintendent said the district inspected locker rooms and removed storage that made showers unsuitable; new singlets were ordered and are expected to arrive this week.

On equipment, staff said they will purchase freestyle practice mats and other pads to reduce injury risk from repetitive throws; the superintendent characterized the mats as appropriate safety equipment and said the district will procure them. The district confirmed it is paying for transportation, tournament entries and coaches’ stipends; the superintendent and athletic director said the district will work to get athletes into tournaments and to arrange practice opportunities with neighboring districts when helpful.

Board members and staff discussed whether to pursue a separate girls team next year; staff said if participation levels remain and scheduling logistics permit, the district will consider establishing a girls team rather than mixed competition. Staff also said it will explore partnerships with neighboring schools to produce a larger roster for competition and more appropriate practice/travel times.

Why it matters: The district said it is funding core program needs—uniforms, transportation, mats and tournament entries—while working through program structure, safety equipment and scheduling.

Next steps: District staff will continue to provide practice access, acquire necessary mats and pads, refine tournament sign-ups, and assess whether to convert to a girls-only team for the next season if numbers and logistics support it.