The Blair Oaks School Board said goodbye to a long-time board member Tuesday, just as it welcomed a new member.
Greg Russell has served on the Blair Oaks School Board for 21 years. On Tuesday, Russell was honored for his service to the board and left with a large family in tow.
Newly elected Glenn Reynolds took his seat on the board, and re-elected John Weber resumed his service to the board Tuesday. The board reorganized, naming Jason Paulsmeyer president, Nicki Russell vice president and Tim Luebbering treasurer. Audrey Feely will continue as board secretary.
The board also heard a presentation from resident Chris Forck. The agenda item listed Forck’s topic as “organization, philosophy and goals.”
Forck began his presentation by stating there are two genders, adding it was a point he had tried to make to the board in the past. Board President Nicki Russell told Forck that his comments were outside the scope of his stated topic, but Forck said they were not. Forck continued, saying the board’s policies regarding transgender students using the bathroom of their choice were not fair to female students and jeopardized their safety. He also said the board had not been open about the policy. When his time ended, Forck asked the board if they had any questions and was met with silence, and as the board moved on to the consent agenda, he left the meeting.
During board reports, Director of Building and Grounds Randy Prenger shared the district’s supplier for paper and plastic products predicted an eight to 12 percent increase in price in the coming months and suggested the district buy a year’s worth of those items in advance. Prenger said he would have to get creative about where those items could be stored.
Superintendent Jim Jones told board members that Wardsville is looking at possible improvements to Falcon Lane with some available county money.
For two young women who stayed for the duration of the meeting, the most anticipated news of the night was the status of a possible soccer program at Blair Oaks. Two years ago, the board tasked staff members with putting out a survey and talking with local athletic directors to determine the feasibility of starting a soccer team. One survey, distributed last year to families with eighth- through 10th-graders, received 93 responses. Of those 93, 84 percent said they would participate if soccer were offered.
Director of Activities Clay Crouch estimated the startup cost could be around $20,000. A starting season would likely be around 16 games and two tournaments, and the team would have two coaches and would be looking for 20-25 players.
There was greater interest in a girls team, which would play in the spring.
The soccer team might have to practice on a grass field at times, which might mean it would be sharing facilities.
“I totally believe that there’s going to be extreme excitement about starting this program, and so those that actually participate, however flexible they have to be with sharing time and everything, I think … the excitement will overcome any of those kind of adjustments that they have to deal with,” board member John Weber said.
The board voted unanimously to approve girls soccer as a high school activity for the 2022-23 school year.
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