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Athletic director reports strong participation, awards and facility work; committee discusses capital needs
Summary
The committee heard a comprehensive athletic program update covering participation rates, postseason play and awards, baseline concussion testing, facility repairs (track and tennis courts), geese issues, recent donations and a new athletic van. Members discussed longer-term capital needs including a snack shack and multi-year field planning.
Mister Cabluccio, the district athletics staff member who delivered the athletic program update, told the committee the district fielded 24 varsity programs last year and that roughly 54% of total enrollment participated in at least one sport. "We had a fantastic year," Cabluccio said, highlighting conference championships in girls indoor track, boys basketball and baseball and naming two state champions among student-athletes.
Cabluccio reported 21 of 24 varsity teams participated in postseason play and listed individual recognitions including conference MVPs and regional newspaper player-of-the-year awards. He also noted awards for sportsmanship: the district received the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association recognition for outstanding sportsmanship for four consecutive years, an item he said staff take special pride in.
On participation and fees, Cabluccio said the recent user-fee increase had not produced a measurable decline in sign-ups; waivers are processed by administration. He described the district's concussion baseline testing program for middle and high school students—administered during wellness classes and intended to support clinical care—and said rollout continued at the middle school.
Facilities was a major topic. Cabluccio reported the outdoor track was replaced and is in good condition; the tennis courts received repairs but are showing expected cracking and will likely need future work. Committee members and staff discussed plans for ongoing maintenance, striping, irrigation improvements and potential resurfacing or replacement. Cabluccio said vendors and in-house crews are pursuing reasonably priced repairs and that facilities staff are adding preventative work (caulking, restriping) to extend life. The group raised a recurring goose population problem at the track and fields that staff said they have tried multiple mitigation strategies for but have not solved.
On fundraising and equipment, Cabluccio reported $25,000 in recent donations: a $15,000 private-family gift to replace the gym sound system and $10,000 from the Athletic Booster Group for large equipment (goals, etc.). He also described a district-owned van intended to reduce bus trips and lower transportation costs.
Committee members pressed for a capital plan. Questions centered on the feasibility and costs of a snack shack with restrooms (Cabluccio and staff estimated roughly $50,000) and whether a single turf field would meet district needs. Administrators recommended multi-year planning and suggested bringing specific capital proposals to the regional finance committee for funding discussion. The committee agreed administrators should return with written plans and cost estimates at future meetings.
No formal vote was taken on capital projects at this meeting; the update was informational and administrators were directed to include these items in the district capital planning process.
