Several public commenters urged the Ocean City School District to fund and strengthen a Unified Sports program that pairs students with and without disabilities for inclusive athletics and activities.

Grace Trott, who identified herself as a teacher and parent, described Unified Sports as a program run alongside Special Olympics that fosters inclusion, social and emotional benefits, and community connection; she said Ocean City High School has a Unified team but that it needs additional administrative and funding support to be fully realized (SEG 845–911). Sarah Rockey, a special-education teacher and Mainland Regional High School Unified Sports adviser, described Mainland’s program as a multi-season, varsity-level activity that requires a village of support — coaches, nurses, and funding — and offered to help Ocean City build capacity (SEG 1021–1076).

Other commenters recounted personal experiences: Pam Jeanette and others described family members who benefited from inclusive extracurriculars and said Unified makes disabled students feel part of the team with matching uniforms and shared recognition (SEG 1314–1369). Several speakers asked the board to consider funding, staffing, and scheduling adjustments so Unified could function like other varsity sports (SEG 1036–1046).

Board members acknowledged discussing Unified Sports earlier at the curriculum committee and noted ongoing coordination with Greater Egg Harbor for program support (SEG 553–562). No funding decision was recorded at this meeting; advocates requested that the district pursue sustainable funding and administrative support to scale the program (SEG 468–546; SEG 777–1480).