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Superintendent to approach Springer about girls' basketball co-op as NMAA eligibility rules shift
Summary
With too few female students to field a varsity girls' basketball team next year, district leadership asked permission to explore a co-op with nearby Springer so seniors can play; the presenter also discussed proposed NMAA 'first transfer' eligibility changes and extracurricular alternatives such as golf.
District leaders told the board Maxwell will likely be unable to field a varsity girls' basketball team next school year and sought permission to approach nearby Springer about joining a co-op that would allow Maxwell girls to play under Springer’s program.
"I would like to approach Springer about our girls joining with their team," Presenter (Speaker 4) said, noting several of the affected players are seniors who want to play their final season. Presenter said she had spoken with the girls and their parents and that the families support the idea, but that she had not yet approached Springer’s board, coaches or administrative staff.
Presenter (Speaker 4) explained the broader context: the New Mexico Activities Association is considering a 'first transfer' rule that would allow one in-high-school transfer to be immediately eligible to play, removing a prior 365-day sit-out in many transfer cases. Presenter said recruiting and undue-influence rules would remain in place and that several court cases involving NMAA eligibility are pending.
Trustees discussed logistics, including whether a co-op would require similar arrangements for junior-high teams, the potential effect on boys’ teams and the role of the junior-high schedule. Committee members suggested ensuring junior-high players are integrated into feeder programming if a varsity co-op moves forward. Presenter also proposed adding extracurricular options that require fewer participants—golf or, later, powerlifting—so more students have team opportunities.
The board granted permission for the presenter to approach Springer to explore a girls’ varsity co-op and requested a report back on logistics, governing jerseys and coaching arrangements. No formal agreement was negotiated at the meeting; the item remains at an exploratory stage.
