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Athletics director reports increased participation, unified athletics expansion and equipment needs
Summary
Michael Carrefone told the board Beacon athletics earned a Section 9 New York State School of Excellence distinction, reported modest year‑over‑year participation increases (fall 402 → 407; winter 284 → 307), described unified athletics growth and requested budget increases for stipends and equipment (cheer mats, pool starting ledges).
Michael Carrefone, the district director of physical education, athletics, health and recreation, briefed the Beacon City School District board on athletics achievements, program growth and near‑term budget priorities.
Carrefone opened by noting the district was one of seven Section 9 schools to earn a New York State School of Excellence award for varsity academic achievement. He recapped fall accomplishments — boys varsity soccer division champions and Section 9 Class A finalists, girls soccer division champions, volleyball quarterfinalists — and highlighted individuals who advanced to sectional and state competition.
He described program growth: the district reintroduced a JV girls soccer team, launched a unified bocce program and expanded unified athletics to include middle‑school participants. He said unified teams run across three seasons (bocce in fall, bowling in winter, basketball in spring) and that Special Olympics recognized the district as a unified champion school. Carrefone and others emphasized the social and emotional benefits of unified athletics for athletes and peer partners.
On participation figures, Carrefone presented fall participation of 407 students this season (402 the prior year) and winter participation of 307 (284 the prior year), calculating roughly 33.7% fall participation as a share of secondary enrollment. He argued the numbers show incremental growth in student engagement in athletics.
Carrefone recommended modest budget adjustments to support program growth: an increase of $3,000 in coaching stipends, a potential new coaching position tied to the expanding unified program or JV cheer, and equipment purchases including cheer mats and pool starting ledges estimated at about $400–$500 each for six lanes. He also noted planned capital work under the district capital project — tennis court resurfacing and converting baseball/softball fields to turf — and suggested adding bleachers on the opposite side of the turf to increase visiting spectator capacity.
Board members asked practical questions about transportation for students after practices and the trade‑offs of adding sports such as girls flag football given low participation in some existing sports; Carrefone said transportation logistics and bus‑driver shortages are real constraints and agreed to discuss options including targeted late‑day runs for teams with earlier end times.
Carrefone closed by inviting board members and the public to attend unified meets and other events and by thanking staff who support athletics and family engagement.
