The Place of Athletics in the District’s Priorities Affirmed

It was standing room only at Tuesday night’s meeting as parents, students and other concerned residents gathered to hear and to speak about the report made by the Athletic Advisory Committee (AAC) and Superintendent Kathleen Bodie’s recommendation concerning athletic fees for the current school year.

Arlington resident Stephen Harrington presented the AAC report making certain that the strongest beliefs of the committee were well understood. Included in those beliefs was the committee’s vision statement which ensured that “every student in Arlington has the opportunity to participate in any sport they choose.”

Affirming that “athletics are an integral part of a free and appropriate public education” left no doubt about the importance the AAC attaches to athletics in the district’s set of responsibilities. Harrington explained the firm belief that the expense of the athletic program is an expense that is borne by the entire district and not by any one student or group of students.

Flowing from these belief’s the AAC recommendations are as follows:

   •    No student will be charged a fee in excess of the direct cost of any activity that the student engages in. Only direct costs can be charged to students for things such as game expenses including officials and entrance fees, team uniforms and specific athlete equipment, transportation and coaching expenses.

    •    Indirect costs such as field maintenance, required insurance, administrative and staff support salaries, custodial and police detail expenses are the responsibility of the school district.

    •    Not to eliminate athletics from Arlington High School.

    •    Direct expenses to be offset by revenues generated by athletics and athletic facilities.

    •    All indirect expenses to be offset by the town’s placing of banner-like advertising or sponsorship signs at Pierce Field and the two indoor gyms at the High School. The signs would be bought by companies for a year and renewed annually.

    •    Another revenue resource to be explored is block grants to subsidize low income athletic scholarships. Added to this, members of AAC incorporated the Arlington Athletics Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for an endowment that generates income to offset declining public support for school-based athletic programs. The application has been filed and the foundation’s status as a (503(c) “charity” is pending.

The AAC recommended options for parental payment plans, suggestions for cost efficiency and alternative ways of providing athletics in collaboration with other schools.

Several points of view regarding the role of sports in education were voiced by those in attendance. One of the most succinct arguments that summed up much of what was said about the personal power that can develop from being an athlete came from Glenn Fratto.

Offering his personal experience he said as a high school student he did not have grades that could get him into any state college. Princeton University admitted him on the merits of his skill as a football player. At Princeton his grades improved and he went on to receive a Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University.

Dr. Bodie’s recommendation was to cap family expenses for participation in athletic programs at $1,250 for the year 2010-2011.

A discussion among School Committee members ensued. They passed a motion to accept the AAC’s report and another motion to accept the superintendent’s recommendation.

Students Recognized for Outstanding Achievement

Tuesday night, several students were recognized for their outstanding achievement in a sport. The wrestling team finished second in the Division 2 sectional, reported Ted Dever, the director of athletics. Tommy Jantz and Sean Fagan won sectional champions. Jim Rose, Val Moisand and Otto Briener came in at second place while Mitch Colley and Hunter Fogerty came in third.

Rebecca Robinson was recognized for breaking the record in the 50 meter dash and the 300 meters race at the Dual County League ( DCL) event this season making her an All States champion. Sean Fagan has also earned All State status.
 Quintin Stipp and Dan McDonald finished second and third in the two-mile race.