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Parent urges board to oppose proposed Campbell'Alurn girls lacrosse co-op; trustees weigh safety, competition and travel
Summary
A Litchfield parent urged the board to oppose a proposed cooperative girls lacrosse team between Campbell High School and Alurn, citing competitive-balance concerns (the merged team would be placed in Division 1), travel and supervision issues, and potential morale impacts. The board discussed petition options with NHIAA and deferred a decision until Hudson (the partner district) weighs in and the June 30 meeting.
Amanda Lassard, a Litchfield parent, told the board during public comment that she and her husband oppose a proposed cooperative girls high school lacrosse team between Campbell High School and Alurn.
Lassard summarized numbers provided in the submitted application and argued that the combined roster would move the program into Division 1, placing Litchfield athletes against schools with far larger enrollments and stronger historical records. She warned such mismatches could depress participation, reduce playing time, and harm athlete morale. Lassard also raised logistics and safety concerns: reliance on another school's athletic administrators and coaches for supervision, longer travel times for practices and games, and uncertain availability of district-provided transportation.
Board members and administrators spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing the trade-offs. Administrators said co-op agreements are intended to sustain programs that otherwise might not have sufficient participants, and that a co-op could be structured to rotate practices and host games in Litchfield when field availability permits. The board discussed the NHIAA process to petition for a different competitive classification; administrators said an initial classification based on combined enrollment would likely place the merged program in Division 1 but that the district can petition the NHIAA classification committee to play at Division 2.
Trustees also raised practical questions about safety and competitiveness: Campbell's program had several season-ending injuries this year and a small roster, heightening concern about playing up a division. Conversely, supporters noted co-ops can offer a more sustainable bench and open the possibility of JV and varsity splits if participation grows.
No decision was made. Board members asked the superintendent and athletic director to continue discussions with Alurn and the NHIAA, to gather a clarified practice and game schedule and to report back at the June 30 meeting when Hudson's board will have reviewed the proposal."
