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Board hears requests on dance staffing and girls' flag football as budget concerns continue
Summary
A district dance coach asked for at least $2,000 annually to pay an assistant; athletic staff suggested raising the dance supplement so the head coach could allocate funds for ayuda. Trustees also discussed converting a successful girls' flag‑football club to a TSSAA sport and a July agenda item to permit a youth football storage building on district property.
Trustees heard three extracurricular items that intersect budget, equity and operations.
Sher Bernett, the district dance coach, asked the board to consider providing a district‑funded assistant coach at a minimum of $2,000 per year. Bernett described the year‑round commitment of the program, the safety and supervision need when 10 or more athletes are present, and the burden placed on families and booster clubs to fund an unpaid assistant. "I would be happy to answer any questions about our program," Bernett told trustees, noting she often relies on booster fundraising to cover assistance and travel costs.
Athletic administrators explained how supplements are allocated: minor sports receive a percentage (commonly 6.25% for minor sports) that the head coach and athletic director may divide. Principals and the athletic director said raising the dance supplement would create room for the head coach to allocate part of the supplement to an assistant if the board so directs. Trustees also cautioned about Title IX and parity implications: any permanent supplement increase for one sport could prompt similar requests across programs and from middle schools.
On another athletics topic, trustees discussed making the girls' flag football program — which began as a club and attracted strong participation — a sanctioned TSSAA sport. Board members recommended observing a two‑year club period, surveying interest and then, if sustained, moving to sanctioning; sanctioning would carry scheduling benefits (playoffs) and likely require at least one supplement for a head coach and possibly an assistant.
Finally, the board was briefed that Manchester Youth Football requested to place a storage building on Cardon Gerald field to keep equipment on site. District staff said the request will be on the July agenda with a proposed location and size to be confirmed prior to any approval.
Trustees did not take immediate action but asked staff to include the items on the July agenda with budgetary options and Title IX analysis.
