Board approves girls hockey co-op with Sacred Heart in 3–2 vote after debate over enrollment and equity

The East Grand Forks school board voted 3–2 to approve a cooperative agreement with Sacred Heart to co-op girls hockey no later than the 2027–28 school year.

Supporters argued the agreement would help build participation at the high school level and support youth development pipelines. “We have an opportunity to help them,” Speaker 9 said in favor of the co-op, noting possible long-term benefits for numbers at older levels. Speaker 1, who also supported the motion, said she “could not vote against it because I want to keep girls just in the activities,” emphasizing the importance of preserving girls’ activity opportunities.

Opponents raised fiscal concerns and the possibility that co-op arrangements could shift enrollment decisions and, over time, reduce district funding. Speaker 2 cautioned that adding students to other schools can reduce the district’s revenue, and asked the board to weigh potential long-term enrollment impacts. Board members noted the agreement is for two years and can be revisited and renegotiated as circumstances change.

The motion passed by a 3–2 voice vote. Board members asked administration to ensure the coop agreement includes appropriate participation fees and terms and to return any formal contract language for final approval by the board.