Boys and girls wrestling and girls golf will be added to South Callaway R-2’s high school sports within the next two years, with each program to be reviewed after a probationary year to determine its success.
The South Callaway Board of Education made the decision during a meeting Wednesday at the recommendation of Superintendent Kevin Hillman. The window to organize the programs before fall 2019 is limited, so it is possible they will start in 2020.
Hillman said the school has considered adding new activities for at least three years, studying its budget, Title IX and its current programs.
The only board member to vote against adding the sports was Stephanie Laney.
In a report given to the board, Hillman wrote any activities offered in the fall or spring season would compete with other existing activities for athletes. So, the school believes any new programs taking place in those seasons should be individualized team sports, such as girls golf.
South Callaway already has a boys golf team.
“The part that is attractive to wrestling is that it is now recognized as a boys and girls activity,” Hillman said in the report. “It is in the winter when we have our fewest number of participants. It is largely a sport that does not conflict with anything that we already offer.”
After each program’s probationary year, South Callaway will conduct a review to determine its success, if it interfered with other activities and how it would fit into the school’s budget.
According to Hillman’s report, 91 of South Callaway’s 260 students participated in a state-sponsored sport. Many of the athletes, 29 girls and 62 boys, were involved in more than one program.
South Callaway conducted a survey of its eighth- through 11th-grade students, with 219 answering, to determine interest in new activities.
Of the responses, 20 requested girls golf, 32 requested boys wrestling and 29 requested girls wrestling. Other sports that had a high interest were volleyball, at 85 students, and girls tennis, 31.
Hillman said in his report the school does not want to harm any current sport or create a major increase in the athletics budget. Currently, sports comprise 2.7 percent of South Callaway’s expenses.
Following the decision to add the new programs, the Board of Education members elected April 2 were sworn in to their seats. Todd Mealy is continuing as a member of the board, and former teacher Sharon Frazee will begin her first term.
Also decided in Wednesday’s meeting, South Callaway will be holding a summer school program this year.
The school calendar for next year was set, with the first day of school being Aug. 14 and the last day being May 15, 2020.