Board weighs Hebron cooperative for athletics, defers decision to special meeting

Richardton-Taylor 34 trustees spent a portion of their meeting discussing a proposed cooperative agreement with Hebron that would combine some athletics and activities programs across the districts. The board did not vote on a contract and instead agreed to hold a special meeting to review a draft agreement before taking further action.

The board chair (S1) said community responses had been "overly positive" in the survey results but acknowledged specific parent concerns, particularly about girls volleyball and travel logistics. A participating board member (S5) summarized the feedback: "That was a few of their concerns" about traveling and combined events.

When asked about cost implications, S6 offered a high‑level, retrospective figure: "We spent about $250,000 in coaches and traveling and bus drivers and fees and supplies," characterizing it as an approximate total for the extracurricular activities the speaker included in their tally. The board said it wants a draft contract and clearer financial details before moving forward.

Timing shaped the conversation: board members noted the state girls' basketball tournament schedule and said they prefer a special meeting to make an informed decision rather than deciding at the current session. The board asked the superintendent and administrators to provide a draft agreement, a financial breakdown, and clarity on which activities would be combined in year one.

The board did not adopt any motion on the co‑op at this meeting; members directed staff to circulate a draft contract and to schedule a special meeting where trustees can review the proposal and supporting financial information.