Concern, Confusion Surround Creation of Athletics Advisory Committee

Parents and members continue to disagree on the establishment of a new Athletics Advisory Committee.

The committee would be a similar group to the one that last spring proposed at the high school. As per policy, the advisory committee was dissolved after one year.

"Joe (Curro) hasn't reached out or tried to include us when he came up with the motion," said Stephen Harrington, a member of the previous . "The criteria is not at all inclusive."

The motion that Curro put forth at the last School Committee meeting states that the only parents eligible to sit on the advisory committee would be those who have children at the high school, an issue several parents say is upsetting. Additionally, the group that would be responsible for designating the parents who would serve on the advisory committee is the high school's . 

"No one on the School Council was on the Athletics Advisory Committee last year, or been to any of the meetings," Harrington said. 

Curro said the council did have a member on the advisory committee last year. Arlington Patch was unable to reach members of Arlington High's School Council for comment.

Both School Committee members Judson Pierce and Curro said that, while they are in favor of creating the committee, they were also open to suggestions to tweak it to make the group more inclusive. Curro added he is not wed to the idea of the School Council being in charge of the parent recommendations.

"It's bewildering to me that folks have these concerns and have not contacted me," Curro said. "I am willing to talk to anyone."

Curro said making the School Council involved would be a more democratic process, since members of the council are elected by parents and guardians. Pierce said that the council would be a valuable asset to the process, as they are closer to issues at the school.

"We as a School Committee have enough to do," Pierce said. "We can rely on delegates who are statutory bodies, such as the School Council."

Pierce added he had no problem with reviewing the motion and possibly making some changes, as he does not "want anyone to feel like they are on the outside looking in."