At the regular Board of Education meeting on May 21, 2015 the Board of Education voted to reduce Jr. High Football and donate the Jr. High equipment to the local JFL Program. The Board of Education listened to interested parties during the open session meeting and deliberated about the topic for a lengthy period. The main issue leading to the decision was an estimated 1.1 million dollar deficit in the Education Fund for the District. As many of the members noted, the district has made reductions over the years to maintain a balanced budget, but in light of the State of Illinois’ finances and our legislature’s inability to properly fund schools we can no long maintain non-essential programs. The Board felt that reducing the Jr. High Football program was a wise choice because athletes would still have the opportunity to play youth football. Other facts that contributed to supporting the JFL, include all other Sangamo conference programs use JFL as their feeder program, currently our 7th and 8th grade program does not compete with other Sangamo conference JFL programs and the district reduces liability by supporting the JFL rather than hosting the Jr. High Program. Additionally, the JFL has indicated they will reduce fees for all players so that parents would not be burdened buy the costs of the program. In the end the Board of Education was grateful to be supporting the local JFL and happy our students would have opportunities to play football at the 7th an 8th grade level.
The Board of Education would like to thank our current coaching staff, Boyd Paulsmeyer, Jon Gregor and Mike Schlattweiler for their years of service and dedication to the Jr. High Football program. The Board would also like to thank all previous coaches, fans, parents and families who supported the Jr. High Program over the years. The decision to reduce the program was very difficult but the Board was grateful to the JFL for taking the program over and changing their fee structure so that families can more easily participate in the program. As the PORTA District moves forward many more difficult decisions will need to be made so that essential programs can be maintained. The Board hopes citizens will attend Board of Education meetings to share perspectives and learn more about the difficulties the District currently faces.
The Board of Education would like to thank our current coaching staff, Boyd Paulsmeyer, Jon Gregor and Mike Schlattweiler for their years of service and dedication to the Jr. High Football program. The Board would also like to thank all previous coaches, fans, parents and families who supported the Jr. High Program over the years. The decision to reduce the program was very difficult but the Board was grateful to the JFL for taking the program over and changing their fee structure so that families can more easily participate in the program. As the PORTA District moves forward many more difficult decisions will need to be made so that essential programs can be maintained. The Board hopes citizens will attend Board of Education meetings to share perspectives and learn more about the difficulties the District currently faces.