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Parents, students press board to reverse plan allowing 8th graders to join Liberty high-school basketball
Summary
Students and multiple parents at a Liberty School District board meeting urged the district to rescind or clarify a recent decision allowing incoming 8th graders to participate in high‑school basketball and summer league, saying the move was poorly communicated and could hurt juniors and seniors. The board said it will meet with the coach and parents to review the process.
At a Liberty School District board meeting, students and parents urged the board to reverse or clarify a recent policy change that would allow incoming 8th graders to participate with high‑school basketball teams and in summer league activity.
A student speaker, Aiden Anderson, told the board that adding the incoming 8th graders could swell rosters from about 29 to an estimated 36 players and overwhelm a single coach. “I fell in love with the game the moment I stepped on the court,” Anderson said. “Do I even wanna put the shoes on? Do I even wanna step on the court?” Anderson said decisions had been announced to students without clear prior notice to parents.
Several parents backed those concerns. One parent (S9) said the decision undermined current upper‑class players’ seasons and community norms and urged immediate reversal: “I stand here to urge you to reverse the decision immediately,” the parent said, arguing that bringing younger players up when high‑school teams have sufficient numbers is unfair and harms morale.
Board members and administrators responded that the district follows WIAA guidance and that there is a distinction between coach‑run summer league activity and in‑season roster decisions governed by league rules. The board said it would convene a meeting with Coach Dodge, the athletic director, several parents and board members to review what happened and improve communication. Chair S1 said the board would "look into everything that's happened" and return with clear next steps.
Why it matters: Parents said the change was announced to students (intercoms) and not communicated to parents by email, creating confusion and hurt feelings. Board members said coach discretion and league rules permit some movement of younger players into older squads, but acknowledged this case needed clearer communication and a process that involves administration and families.
What’s next: The board scheduled a follow‑up meeting with the coach and parents to clarify the summer‑league and in‑season process and how roster decisions will be communicated to families.
