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Eastport‑South Manor students ask board to recognize Sharkettes as a school sport; district points to new dance studio
Summary
Seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students urged the board to reclassify the Sharkettes from a club to an official sport, citing funding, competition access and facility needs. District officials said the newly built dance room and upcoming budget cycle make the request timely.
Liliana Cavalieri, an eighth‑grade member of the Sharkettes, told the Eastport‑South Manor Board of Education on Nov. 19 that the dance group should be recognized as a sport rather than a club, listing other Suffolk County high schools with established competitive dance teams and arguing the shift would bring recognition, funding and competitive opportunities. "We would feel equal with other athletic teams and be acknowledged for our physical and competitive training," Cavalieri said.
Isabella Kozel, seventh‑grade student‑body vice president, joined Cavalieri and described how official sport status would provide guaranteed practice space, budget support for uniforms and competitions, and improved college and scholarship prospects. "Being recognized as a sport would provide support and structure that all ESM sports currently have," Kozel said.
Superintendent Steinle and district staff responded that the students' timing was appropriate: the project to build a dedicated dance studio is underway as part of the district’s capital work and the board is entering its budget season. The superintendent asked the students to share their materials with athletic director Mr. Hayes so staff could research competitive‑team requirements and potential funding lines during budget planning.
Construction and project staff present for the meeting described the dance room as part of recent phase‑1/phase‑2 capital work. Project managers said the dance room fit‑out could be turned over to the district by mid‑December for nonplumbed uses while adjacent locker‑room and addition work continue. Capital‑project staff noted the broader renovation program is roughly $4.35 million under budget to date.
What happens next: the board did not make an immediate change to the Sharkettes’ status. Administrators said they will research how recognition would affect athletic scheduling, eligibility, and budgets and will bring findings to the athletic director for further consideration before any policy or roster changes are proposed.
