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Blackstone‑Millville cheerleaders, parents press school committee over practice space, a sudden fee increase and missed practices
Summary
Students and a parent told the school committee that cheer practices were canceled for a week because available spaces are too small or unsafe, mats won’t fit in the temporary gym, and a competition fee was doubled to $200 without clear notice; administrators agreed to move mats and coordinate logistics for practice tomorrow.
Jessica Campano and two student captains told the Blackstone‑Millville Regional School Committee on Dec. 12 that the district’s varsity and competition cheer teams had lost a full week of practice because of gym-space conflicts, and that families were notified this week that fees for competition cheer had been raised from $100 to $200.
"These athletes work just as hard as any other sports teams," Campano said, urging the committee to address safety and scheduling problems after students reported practicing in weight rooms or hallways and trying to stunt under low ceilings.
The speakers described a chain of logistical problems: mats that measure 42 by 42 feet do not fit in the elementary‑school gym (reported width 38 feet), the district’s after‑school program and town youth basketball occupy shared spaces during the window the team prefers, and middle‑school students lack reliable transportation to an alternate site. They said the coach requested spaces but communication gaps left students without practice and, for some, without busing to attend.
Administrators and committee members reviewed immediate fixes at the meeting. Joe Spagna, the district’s finance and operations director, and other staff described options to move mats to the AFM gym and to coordinate with the town league so practices can run 3:30–5:30 p.m. tomorrow. Committee member Matt said he would meet the varsity team at a designated door and that mats would be moved so varsity could practice and attend that night’s game.
The parents and athletes also questioned a recent, last‑minute increase in user fees. Campano said families received an email Monday stating the fee had doubled and that payment was required before participation; she and students said choreography and music payments did not appear to match what the teams were being charged. Administrators acknowledged a choreographer line item exists in the budget but said this year’s spending pattern differs; they agreed to follow up and clarify the fee breakdown.
What happens next: Committee members pledged to coordinate administration, the coach and Council to make mats available at AFM for the next practice, to confirm transportation arrangements, and to report back to the students. Committee members complimented the athletes for coming forward.
