Athletics report: strong student grades, officials shortage and a proposal to consider 8‑man football

The board received an athletics update showing strong academic performance among student‑athletes but mounting program pressures. Mr. Score, presenting the athletics report, said more than 80% of fall athletes were on the honor roll and noted high honor‑roll percentages in football and volleyball. He also flagged operational challenges: declining multi‑sport participation at some levels, transportation constraints for volunteer drivers and teams, and a regional shortage of game officials that may force schedule changes.

"If you look as we go through the honor roll kids, we have over 80% of our athletes in the fall are on the honor roll," Mr. Score told the board. He also described logistical changes under consideration, including running extra buses for particular contests and increased outreach to volunteers who maintain fields and facilities.

The board then considered a possible move to 8‑man football. Shane explained the application process and timeline: schools apply in 2026 to be eligible for 2028, and the classification relies on a three‑year enrollment average (the district’s current enrollment cited as roughly 187). Shane emphasized safety, competitive balance and the importance of community support in any change of format. "The biggest thing is safety," he said, describing how 8‑man play can preserve participation and reduce mismatches when local enrollments decline.

No formal decision was made; administrators recommended continued community outreach and that the board prepare for a vote within the next one to two months so scheduling and junior‑high alignments could be arranged if the board moves forward. The athletics team will provide more data and proposed schedules to assist that decision.