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Coach urges Muhlenberg County board to adopt 'no‑cut' middle‑school sports to boost participation
Summary
A coach and parent told trustees that cuts at the middle‑school level reduce opportunities and that adopting no‑cut policies and funding a middle‑school track program would increase participation and community engagement.
During the public comment period, Les Orlow, a district parent and coach, urged the Muhlenberg County School District to expand middle‑school athletic opportunities and adopt a ‘‘no‑cut’’ philosophy to increase participation and keep students engaged.
Orlow said the recent merger of school sports programs reduced available spots and that, in his experience, districts that moved to no‑cut policies saw higher youth involvement and community benefits. He recounted past examples where fewer school sports coincided with higher juvenile crime in another community and said athletics ‘‘probably saved [a] life’’ for at least one late‑blooming athlete. He asked the board to fund a middle‑school track and field team in the spring and to reconsider the district’s sports philosophy.
The board listened but did not record a formal response or commitment in the transcript. The item was part of a packed agenda that included budget, construction and equipment votes.
