Brewster board hears coaches and residents on cooperative sports, will contact Winona

The Brewster Board of Education on May 8 heard presentations from coaches and community members about a pending cooperative sports decision and agreed to reach out to Winona to determine whether the neighboring board shares Brewsters vision before moving forward.

Coaches Wade McCoy and Seth Ackerman presented details, concerns and suggestions about the cooperative sports arrangement and answered questions from board members. Their presentations prompted a lengthy public-comment period in which patrons raised concerns and asked for clarifications.

Patron Becky Luckert read a letter to the board outlining her questions and objections; the minutes note that her letter is attached to the district office record. Other community members who spoke included Sean McDonald, Jody Luckert, Emily Palmer and Lynn Fulwider. Teacher Audrey Stephens also read a letter expressing concerns; both letters were added to the district minutes.

Superintendent/Principal Jessica McCoy outlined plans to discuss the boards vision for athletics and how any cooperative arrangement would fit that vision. After discussion, President Sarah Starns said it was the boards consensus to contact Winonato determine whether Winona is willing to continue cooperating and whether the two boards share the same objectives. Starns asked Board Clerk Tarra Baumfalk to add cooperative sports discussion to the May 19 board agenda in preparation for a later meeting with Winona.

The meeting included a two-minute recess at 6:29 p.m. and the clerk asked audience members to remain silent for the remainder of the meeting to allow the board an uninterrupted discussion. No final decision on the cooperative sports agreement was made; the board scheduled further consideration after outreach to Winona and the May 19 agenda item.