District, Parents Looking To Form Foundation To Fund 9th Grade Sports

Council Rock parents and administrators are working to form a community-based foundation that will help fund a ninth-grade sports program, which was cut during the 2011-2012 budget process, district officials announced Thursday.

Many local parents expressed frustration when the program was cut for the current school year. Now, they are working with district officials to develop a solution. Last week, a group of parents, administrators, coaches and members of the school board meet to discuss options for ninth-grade athletes, district officials said.

“More information will be forthcoming on this foundation and opportunities for members of our community to participate in its formation and leadership,” Superintendent Mark Klein said in a statement.

In the meantime, the district said it is developing options to ensure as many students athletes can play as possible.

To accommodate basketball players, Council Rock School District will implement an intramural program this winter for freshmen athletes who do not make varsity or JV basketball squads.

The program will include skills clinics delivered by the high school coaches and weekly competition, district officials said.  The program will culminate with a ninth-grade tournament in January or February.

For the fall sports season, the district made an effort to expand rosters on the football, soccer, and field hockey squads to accommodate freshmen. 

District officials say they’re not sure what is in store for the spring.  “We are now in the planning process for the spring season with some new and unique alternatives being considered,” Klein said in the statement.