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Residents push for Davis Thomas middle-school soccer program, cite transportation barriers
Summary
Public commenters at a Tucker County Schools meeting urged the district to start a middle-school soccer program at Davis Thomas Elementary, saying 21 students have expressed interest and that lack of transportation keeps mountain students from participating in after-school sports.
Residents urged Tucker County Schools officials during the public comment period to approve a middle-school soccer program at Davis Thomas Elementary and to address transportation barriers that limit mountain students’ participation in after-school sports.
A resident who spoke at the meeting said the goal is to give Davis Thomas students a local option to “stay active” rather than travel long distances. “What we’re trying to do is get a soccer program at Davis Thomas Elementary,” the resident said.
The comment from a presenter supporting the program added that 21 students in grades five through seven indicated interest and that uniforms and equipment were already arranged. “We had 21 kids that were interested in soccer,” the presenter said, adding that the school’s field currently cannot host regulation matches and that the Knights of Columbus field renovation might provide a long-term option.
Speakers emphasized that transportation is the main obstacle. The presenter described family schedules with two working parents and said traditional parent-driven carpooling is often not available, making late-afternoon practices difficult for mountain families. They urged the district to consider regular activity-bus service or other travel arrangements to get students to practices and games.
Commenters also addressed concerns that introducing soccer at the middle-school level would harm high-school football. One resident said the intent was to expand opportunities, not to reduce high-school participation: “This isn’t a one side against the other side thing,” the resident said, urging coordinated efforts to sustain football while growing other sports.
The public comment concluded without a formal district response recorded in the transcript. The presenters said they had volunteers and local partners willing to help organize travel and coaching if the board allowed the program to proceed.
Next steps were not specified in the meeting record; the proposal remains a community request and would require district follow-up on facility suitability and transportation options.
