Students urge protection of STEM courses and broader athletic‑placement access

Several students addressed the board before the budget presentation, appealing directly to board members to protect classroom opportunities and to reconsider policy barriers.

Katherine, a Southside senior and founder of the school’s computer‑science honor society, said new state learning standards call for computer science and digital fluency across K–12 and that cutting STEM opportunities would move the district away from those expectations. "These standards call on districts to expand access to computer science education starting in the fall of 2024 ... Cutting STEM opportunities would move our district further away from these educational guidelines," Katherine said.

Charlotte Gleason, an eighth grader and travel‑softball catcher, urged the board to reconsider athletic policy 7420, which limits the athletic‑placement process to only certain sports. She asked why softball and others are not eligible and asked the board to allow readiness‑based evaluations so younger athletes who meet physical, academic and behavioral standards can try out for higher levels.

Administrators and the athletic director explained the policy change under consideration clarifies that students may be considered for high‑school teams if there is no existing middle‑school team for that sport; some board members asked for more review of whether middle‑school athletes should be allowed varsity opportunities where demand, roster space and competitive fairness are factors.

Student speakers were repeatedly thanked by board leaders for doing the difficult work of public testimony; board members told students their remarks would be considered as the budget and policies are finalized.

Quotes and attributions in this article come directly from the board transcript.