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Teacher and coach urges Seymour board to save middle-school softball program, warns $2,000-a-year travel alternative would exclude families
Summary
A retired teacher and former coach urged the Seymour Board of Education to preserve the middle-school softball program, arguing that the only alternative is a travel-team model that costs about $2,000 per year and would leave many middle-school girls without local play.
During the public-comment portion of the Seymour Board of Education meeting, a retired teacher identified as Catherine described the middle-school softball program as essential to girls who age out of little league at seventh grade. She asked the board to "try to find a way to save the program," warning that the main alternative would be travel teams that cost roughly $2,000 annually and would be unaffordable for many families.
"There's no other program for, at least, for my middle school girls," Catherine said. "If this program goes away, there's gonna be a break between seventh and ninth grade. It's gonna hurt your skill levels going into high school." She added that many of her players have gone on to receive partial or full scholarships and that participation gives students opportunities they otherwise might lack.
Board members acknowledged the plea and directed attention to the budget process discussed that evening, noting that program decisions will depend on the upcoming budget referendum and available funding. Chair Kristen Bruno reminded the public that the board will not discuss personnel matters during public comment, and she reviewed the three-minute comment rule and sign-in procedure.
The district will take public input into account as administrators finalize budget priorities pending referendum results.
