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Parents and residents urge BECSA survey partnership and a football co‑op for player safety
Summary
Public commenters asked the Bogota board to partner with BECSA to administer a districtwide anonymous student survey under a Drug Free Community grant and urged the district to explore a football co‑op to protect player safety; Superintendent Damian Kennedy said the attorney is reviewing policy and the options are on the district's radar.
Several community members used the board's public comment period on April 28 to press the district on two issues: implementing an anonymous student survey with BECSA support and examining a possible football co‑op to improve player safety.
Bar Joe, who identified himself during public comment, asked the board to "collaborate with BECSA under the Drug Free Community Support Program to implement the prize survey" and described the instrument as an "evidence informed" tool that would provide anonymous local data on substance use, mental health and school climate at no cost to the district under the grant. He said BECSA would assist with administration and analysis to reduce burden on staff.
Superintendent Damian Kennedy said he had already spoken with the board attorney and that the district was reviewing policy; he indicated he expected the administration could move forward once legal and policy checks were complete. "We're just making sure that we're not overstepping our policy," he said, adding that the attorney was "crossing the t's and dotting the i's."
A student who spoke in support said the survey "helps us understand the students about town more and show you what they need."
Resident Vesna Cabana urged the board to consider co‑opting the high school football program with neighboring districts for player safety, saying the roster size — "20 some odd kids" — left the program vulnerable and that playing with small numbers can be dangerous. Cabana asked whether players would have options to play for neighboring districts if Bogota could not field a safe team. Kennedy said he would consult the athletic director and coach and that the possibility of a co‑op was "on our radar."
The superintendent and the board did not make policy decisions at the meeting; Kennedy said the attorney's review of the BECSA request should clarify whether the district can proceed under existing policy.
