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Parents press West Hempstead leaders after district says football will merge with East Rockaway
Summary
Parents questioned how a planned merger of West Hempstead's varsity football team with East Rockaway will affect the varsity competitive cheer program, raised concerns about coaching and recognition, and the district agreed to follow up with meetings and media postings.
Parents pressed the West Hempstead Board of Education during the first public-comment period over how a planned football-team merger would affect the varsity cheer program.
Juan Torres, a district parent, asked whether there would be a varsity football team next year and how any change would affect cheerleading. Superintendent Memin told the meeting, "We are merging football teams next year with East Rockaway because of enrollment," and said the district wanted students to participate as it rebuilds the program. The superintendent also indicated that cheer activities would continue.
Other parents raised related concerns. Jessica Reyes said she had heard that a district staff member "was going to take over the program" and asked about when parents would be notified of any coaching change; the board noted personnel matters could not be discussed in public and advised parents to contact the superintendent. Lola Cuadero said she had searched the district website and found little photo coverage for cheer compared with other sports and asked when parents would be notified about changes.
Marvin McKinney, a parent of a varsity cheerleader, urged that the district treat competitive cheer with the same recognition as other sports. "If they win, even if they going off to Florida to compete, can we have a send off?" he asked, saying the girls deserved visible recognition and community support. Board members said they would review website postings, work with the district photographer to post cheer media, and set up a follow-up meeting with parents and staff to discuss concerns.
The board stressed it could not address personnel matters in public but offered to provide contact information for the superintendent and to follow up in a meeting that would include relevant staff members.
The board did not take formal action on the athletics program at the meeting; members encouraged continued dialogue and scheduled follow-up conversations.
