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School leaders outline Title IX steps before adding high‑school baseball as community speakers urge 2026 start
Summary
The district said it will run a student interest survey and address gender proportionality before adding baseball; community speakers and Legion/youth‑baseball leaders urged trustees to pursue a program, offering fundraising and facilities support and suggesting 2026 as a feasible start year.
School administrators told the board they will not move forward with high‑school baseball until Title IX implications and logistical hurdles are addressed.
Superintendent Casey Bertram and athletics staff reviewed federal Title IX guidance and the Ridgeway settlement. The district explained the three‑pronged test (substantial proportionality, history of practice, and interest/ability) used to evaluate whether opportunities are equitable. Administrators said Bozeman Public Schools is currently meeting Title IX part‑1 benefits and opportunities standards but reported a 6.2% overall participation variance across its high schools (about a 3% variance at Bozeman High and roughly 9% at Gallatin High).
Bertram proposed an "if/then" pathway: first, conduct an updated student interest survey (district will use an MHSA sample survey and intends to run it in fall with Google forms); second, address disproportionality with the goal of bringing variance under 5% when including a hypothetical baseball program; third, secure one‑time private startup fundraising for year‑one costs, establish a long‑term MOU with American Legion for scheduling and field access, confirm short‑term field rental agreements, and then include ongoing baseball costs in the fixed athletics budget before seeking board and MHSA approval. District counsel warned that multi‑year community fundraising in lieu of district budgeting could create Title IX risk.
During public comment, more than a dozen community members — youth baseball leaders, American Legion representatives, parents and coaches — urged the board to pursue baseball, described rapid youth‑program growth, field and Legion support, and offered fundraising help. Several speakers recommended surveying middle‑school cohorts and rural feeder schools so that younger players’ interest is captured. Several community organizers suggested 2026 as a practical start date if the district follows the described pathway.
Trustees generally supported moving forward cautiously, asked for survey scope to include relevant feeder communities (including rural schools and possibly 8th graders) and requested the administration return with timeline options and a clear plan for facilities and budget impacts.
