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Jersey Shore Area SD board considers ninth-grade boys basketball, middle-school girls wrestling and intramural girls volleyball
Summary
The board discussed adding three programs — ninth-grade boys basketball, middle-school girls wrestling and an intramural girls volleyball program — and asked the presenter for multi-year cost projections before votes on two items at a future meeting.
The Jersey Shore Area School District Board of School Directors discussed proposals to add ninth-grade boys basketball, middle-school girls wrestling and an intramural girls volleyball program during its Aug. 25 meeting.
Athletic presenter Mr. Minster told the board the district could run the three offerings this year with no immediate cost to the district if they begin as club or intramural activities, and he asked the board to approve the programs in principle so he could schedule opponents and start participants. "Regardless of how many kids come out, it wouldn't cost the school district anything at least this year," Minster said.
Board members pressed for details about likely future costs and sustainability. Minster provided rough initial estimates: about $3,000 for a girls-wrestling program and roughly $4,000 for a ninth-grade boys basketball program if no additional coaching is added; he also said a competitive wrestling mat could cost about $12,000 and would likely be needed eventually. For volleyball Minster proposed starting as an intramural program using existing nets and auxiliary-gym courts to teach competitive play before committing to the higher startup costs of a varsity program, which would include referee poles, padding inserts and uniforms.
Board members who raised concerns said they wanted clearer long-term cost projections before committing district funds. One board member summarized a common concern: approving a program now could shift costs to the district in later years if booster support or outside funding does not materialize. Minster said he would prepare separate three-year budget projections for each program and break out items such as transportation, officials, staff stipends and equipment.
The board agreed to pursue a split approach: Minster will provide the cost projections next week so the board can consider votes at its next meeting. Several board members indicated they were open to voting on the basketball and wrestling proposals on Sept. 8, while continuing the discussion about volleyball because it carries higher initial equipment and ongoing costs.
Minster said scheduling for basketball and wrestling is already underway, but transportation and contest confirmations will be finalized later in the fall. He also clarified that, as club or intramural activities, the programs would be able to start competing (wrestling and basketball) or operating internally (volleyball) without an immediate addition to the district athletic budget.
Board members asked that future updates include participant counts, projected ongoing annual costs, and timing for any one-time purchases such as a wrestling mat.
The board took no formal vote on adding the programs on Aug. 25; it requested the requested budget projections and scheduled further consideration at upcoming meetings.
