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Athletics director reports growth in participation, unified athletics expansion and equipment needs
Summary
Michael Carfon, the district director for physical education and athletics, told the board that varsity teams earned a Section 9 School of Excellence award, unified athletics expanded to include middle‑school students, participation rose (fall participation 402→407; winter 284→307) and the department is seeking roughly $30,000 in budget increases for stipends, equipment and safety items.
Michael Carfon, the district director of physical education, athletics, health and recreation, gave the Beacon City School District board a review of athletics highlights, participation trends and recommended budget items.
Carfon said the district was one of seven Section 9 schools to receive a New York State School of Excellence award for varsity teams’ academic achievement and listed fall and winter team accomplishments: boys varsity soccer were division champions and section finalists; girls varsity soccer were division champions and semifinalists; track and field and swimming posted sectional qualifiers; and wrestling placed third in a local tournament.
He detailed unified athletics growth and Special Olympics recognition, noting expanded participation—including middle‑school students on unified teams—and described matches and meets where general education students served as partners. "If you haven't been to a unified meet, it doesn't matter what the sport. It is just a really awesome time," he said.
Carfon gave participation totals: he said fall participation was 402 previously and increased to 407 this fall; winter participation rose from 284 to 307. Using high‑school and middle‑school enrollment figures referred to in the presentation, he estimated fall participation represented roughly 33.7% of enrolled students.
On budget recommendations Carfon outlined needs for coaching stipends (an increase of $3,000 per stipend suggested), cheer mats, a new scores table, wrestling wall pads and aquatic starting ledges (estimated $400–$500 each for six lanes). He presented a combined increase across the listed areas of about $30,000. He also previewed capital projects funded through the district’s capital plan: tennis court resurfacing and converting baseball and softball fields to turf.
Board members raised transportation barriers for after‑practice rides. Carfon said he would coordinate with transportation staff and Dr. Dwyer to explore pilot options and surveys, but noted challenges including driver shortages and varying practice schedules.
The meeting recorded three formal board actions later in the agenda: a motion to adjourn to executive session to review employees and meet with the board’s attorney to discuss negotiations with the Beacon Teachers Association (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded in the transcript as passing 7‑0), approval of a consent agenda by voice vote (recorded as passing 7‑0), and final adjournment (recorded 7‑0).
