McClusky School joins TL-M Volleyball co-op
McClusky School joins TL-M Volleyball co-op
By ALLAN TINKER
The only old business on the McClusky School board’s November 17 agenda was the sports co-op with TL-M, and it took the larger portion of time within the meeting to decide the issue of whether or not to join.
The board, after much discussion, finally moved to join the co-op, with the issue passing, 3-1. Ben Wagner made the motion to open the issue for discussion and decision, with a second from Heidi Strobel. Brian Larson, Wagner and Strobel voted aye; Phyllis Dieterle, nay. Board member Stacy Sease was absent from the meeting.
Discussion included comments from Voc Ag Instructor Mike Axt and girls basketball coach Jessica Boehm. Axt suggested that McClusky “jump over” TL-M and go directly to Underwood to co-op if that is where the students would end up playing anyhow. “We were played a little bit to have this issue go on this long,” he stated. Board member Phyllis Dieterle also stated that other options might be explored.
Axt also stated that the issue of the gym floor was not the problem as he had been at a clinic and spoken with someone who stated that the “kids are more intense” in their playing and that the floors were not the problem. Boehm stated that the McClusky gym floor is slick and that two girls had “wiped out” on it in a recent practice.
(The floor, seating space for spectators, and limited space for more than one team to practice at a time had been issues addressed at the TL-M board meeting in November).
Axt also stated that one board member on the TL-M board had reportedly said that McClusky had “no bargaining power” left.
The coach noted that joining a “succeeding program” gives the kids something to look forward to. “TL-M has that and much school spirit. TL-M would be good for the kids,” she added.
Supt. Kelm noted that whichever way the board decides, it has issues that need to be resolved. “There is no right or wrong way to handle this,” he said. Whichever way you decide you may lose students; Underwood is still farther, and people on the edge of the district may opt to Drake-Anamoose or another school.”
Board President Larson noted that if the co-op issue “falls apart” the McClusky School has “no place to go.” He also stated that the co-op life is two years, and the issue can be readdressed at that time if things change or don’t work out.
Business Manager Cindy Miller stated that it would be nice for the kids to have one “identity” and that it might help get the elementary enthused again about sports.
Boehm stated that TL-M would have no head volleyball coach lined up for next year (2010) and they have always had a “strong coaching staff” in all their sports. This might be an opportunity for McClusky coaches to apply for the positions
