By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the July 15 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, discussion was held regarding the new state law allowing eighth-grade athletes to play in high school sports.
Superintendent Josh Rasmussen explained that for each athlete and in each specific sport, an eighth-grade athlete would be considered either and eighth grade athlete or a high school athlete, but not both in the same season.
“Once an eighth-grader plays the first game, they are a varsity player and they can’t go back to junior high. It is sport-to-sport specific. Or if they start junior high game one, then they are junior high and can’t play high school,” Rasmussen said.
He said school districts are able to decide whether or not to allow individual eighth-grade athletes to compete in high school sports on a case-by-case basis, and he suggested an application process in which the athlete and family could apply for the opportunity to play in a particular high school sport. He recommended that any such applications would be considered for approval by the athletic director and the coach and would need the approval of both.
Board members discussed the matter and voiced concerns about possible negative impacts on junior high teams, but the consensus was that in certain sports and in certain situations, allowing an eighth-grade athlete to compete on a high school team may be acceptable. Board members talked of their wish to “set a high bar” for such approvals. Rasmussen will work on developing an application form.
The boards returned to the issue of potential consolidation of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school districts into one. Board members asked for data on various cost savings that would be expected under consolidation so the two boards can make data-driven decisions based on financial feasibility in addition to other factors. No formal action was taken at this time.
In the Consent Items portion of the meeting, contract recommendations were approved for several staff members including Karla Mahaffey (marketing and communications), Skie Shull (junior class sponsor), Lindsay Fluharty (assistant volleyball coach), and Ashley Smith (assistant volleyball coach).
The next regular meeting — a joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards — is set for Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. at the junior high school (3384 Indigo Ave., Adair). The public is welcome at all board meetings other than special closed meetings as allowed by law.