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Residents urge clay-target team and archery expansion; parent asks to let online students join graduation procession
Summary
Public commenters asked the board to consider starting a USA Clay Target League shooting team for grades 6–12 (self-funded) and reported archery program successes; another parent asked that online students be allowed to walk with peers at graduation. Board did not take immediate action on these requests.
Multiple public commenters addressed extracurricular activities and graduation protocols during public participation at the Feb. 24 Las Animas School District No. Re-1 board meeting.
Jeff Bayless, a resident, urged the board to support starting a USA High School Clay Target League team for grades 6–12. Bayless said the league requires firearm safety certification and academic eligibility, that teams are typically self-funded through registration and fundraising, and that coaches/volunteers supervise firearms. "We're not asking for funds from this school. We will provide the funding ourselves," Bayless said. He also cited program participation numbers and stated, according to the league materials he shared, that no accidents were recorded in the program between 2008 and 2025.
Volunteer coaches Carolynn Innberger and Jeff Innberger reported that archery has been reintroduced after about 10 years, described student participation and practice schedules, and said in-school instruction hours are required for eligibility. "This is the first time we've brought archery back within 10 years," Carolynn Innberger said, adding that coaches are working with teachers so students can meet instruction-hour requirements.
Parent and community member Chance Free asked the board to allow online students who have participated in school athletics to walk across the stage with their peers during graduation. "With your guys' permission, I'd like some of the seniors... walk across with the friendships that they made from sports," he said, asking the board to add the item to a future agenda.
Board members thanked commenters and said the proper next step for program proposals or policy changes would be to bring formal proposals through the athletic director or school administration for staff review, scheduling, safety checks, and formal agenda consideration. No policy change or formal vote on these items was recorded at the meeting.
What happens next: Staff and interested community members are expected to coordinate with the athletic director and school administration to bring any concrete proposals back to the board for consideration.
