Volunteer coach asks Overton County board for use of school fields; board defers for scheduling coordination
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Summary
A resident, Wesley Puckett, asked the board to permit a volunteer youth soccer program to use school grounds Feb–Oct and offered to share upkeep costs and sponsor families; the board placed the item on the February agenda for coordination with coach Leslie and the local soccer association.
Wesley (Wes) Puckett asked the Overton County School Board during public comment for permission to use school grounds for a volunteer recreational soccer program serving Auburn County and nearby areas, offering to split upkeep costs and to sponsor children in need.
“I’m requesting approval to use the grounds for a recreational soccer program serving Auburn County and surrounding counties,” Puckett said, describing a season that would run February through October with practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays and morning game windows on Saturdays.
Puckett told the board the program would be volunteer-run, open to ages 3–14 for boys and girls, and said he had tried for years to coordinate with existing local soccer administration. “I’ve recently starting to ask just questions, wanting the best of the program. Myself has been asked not to have anything to you know, I’ve been banned,” Puckett said, characterizing past difficulties communicating with the current soccer administration.
Board members asked about scheduling and whether coach Leslie or the Dale Hollow (Valhalla) Soccer Association currently had standing use of the fields. Presiding Officer said the board could either vote that night or table the request; after discussion the board chose to place the item on the February agenda to allow staff to meet with Leslie and the association.
“Wes, we appreciate your comments. We will put this on the agenda for next month, and we’ll do some leg work and address it next month,” the Presiding Officer said.
Why it matters: If approved, the volunteer program could expand youth sports opportunities and affect field scheduling, maintenance costs and existing league arrangements. The board did not take immediate action and asked staff to coordinate scheduling and associations before any approval.
What’s next: The item is scheduled for the February meeting (board noted February 10 in the transcript) for a formal agenda presentation after staff consults with coach Leslie and the local association.