(UPDATE: 11/21/13 -- 4:57 p.m.) -- A new Dorchester Times survey of finds nearly three-quarters of respondents want to keep Dorchester Public School's current athletics co-operative with Milford Public School.
However, the majority is split over whether to add girls and boys basketball, as well as volleyball, to the arrangement.
A little more than 28% of respondents said they favored adding the additional sports to the DHS-MHS pairing, while 46% said they thought DHS basketball and volleyball should remain unconsolidated.
Six respondents favored partnering with another school; and four respondents said DHS' discussions about athletic co-ops should end all together.
Here's the full breakdown of the survey when readers were asked: "Regarding the immediate future of DHS' athletic programs, what should the Dorchester School Board do?"
The informal survey was conducted over a 24-hour period from Nov. 20-21. Exactly 39 individuals from unique households or mobile devices took part.
As we reported yesterday, a special informative gathering was held at DPS on Monday night, Nov. 18. The town hall focused specifically on the future of DHS' athletic programs. School officials told the crowd that DHS participation and enrollment numbers were lower than they would like, and that the DPS Board is weighing its options.
As one Times reader pointed out, the projected number of Dorchester boys out for basketball next school year (2014-15) is six, although some DPS parents have questioned that estimate. Meanwhile, there were 20 DHS girls participating in volleyball this year, one of the largest volleyball teams in school history.
A special meeting of the Dorchester School Board is scheduled for tonight, Nov. 21. Board members may decide that DHS' current co-op arrangement with Milford -- in which the schools have combined football and wrestling squads -- should be extended to include girls and boys basketball, as well as volleyball.
There would certainly be pros and cons to expanding the co-op. Students would likely not see as much playing time as they do in Class D athletics, but they would certainly learn to be more competitive and perhaps prioritize the activity for which they're best suited -- a skill that will come in handy later in life. Also, the loss of a DHS-only team may discourage quality young teachers who also want to coach from applying at DPS, but there would likely be a cost savings realized by taxpayers who must foot the bill for school athletics via property taxes.
Get serious.....cost savings.........
ReplyDeleteWe send two coaches getting head coaching pay to Milford fo four kids for four games.
The fuel cost alone has to have increased greatly.
As long as we don't coop with friend I'll be happy. We could partner with p hill and that would be fine by me
ReplyDeleteHow long would our commitment be to Milford? Does anyone know?
ReplyDeleteIt was stated at the meeting on Monday that we won't have any signed committment with Milford, at least for basketball. I believe we have to stay together for 2 years for football because of the NSAA cycle, or something. People talked about if our basketall numbers increased we could decide to be our own team again.Others voiced their opinions about not ever coming back. It shall be interesting. I have heard that numerous people, including high school kiddos, will be speaking at the board meeting tonight. I hope there is a good turnout to support our children.
DeleteI tried to take the survey, but the first question would not print my "other..be specific" so here it is. I think that we should coop the basketball teams and leave volleyball in Dorchester. Here after many years we finally get a great volleyball coach which the girls loved playing for. in addition to coaching he is also a great teacher that the kid like. It is totally unfair to ask Ty to give up coaching after one year so he can "help" Milford's team when he stated day one that his dream was to teach and coach. We gave him that opportunity and he took it and ran very successfully running the volleyball program. When was the last time that we had 20 girls out in any one sport?!
ReplyDeleteWell said!!
DeleteI hope this many people take the time to show up at tonight's meeting.
ReplyDeleteSo if that makes the volleyball team good is that what makes the football team bad?
ReplyDeleteI attended the meeting Thursday night and went home with more questions than answers. I don't know what was the last straw with Friend but I do know that during their talks that Friend wanted to play everything in Friend and wanted to keep their colors and mascot. This did not sit well with our board(thank God). But, it seems like we are ready to give it all away to Milford. What is the difference? We were told that because Milford was bigger than we were that things will stay in Milford. It seems like we may be getting swalllowed up by Milford and that should be a concern. If it is a COOP then Milford should give up something also before we jump into anything too quickly.
ReplyDeleteIf there was a shortage of girls it would be a no brainer. Is the school ready to throw away 10-12 girls participating if we coop BB and VB? You know not very many will go out if we do. The board was given a list of 9-11 boys that would play next year but it was dismissed as 5 strong players 2 probably would be inelible(how do we know) and the rest either won't go out or were "weak" players(nice). If the administration wants to do this next week why have meetings. Pushing this through like it this sounds like our lovely Obamacare. How is that working for us.
ReplyDeleteWho invited the Friend Superintendent to Monday's meeting?
ReplyDeleteDoes it matter. It was an open meeting
ReplyDeleteI for one am glad the Friend superintendent showed up. His comments really drove home the point that Dorchester did the right thing by partnering with Milford in this athletics deal. Why in the holy world would we want to join an athletic coop with a school that's in the same boat as us. Good job, school board. I don't agree with everything you guys do, but you did the right thing here.
DeleteIf we have 9-11 boys, then we should stay in Dorchester. Our numbers improve in two years anyway, so why the rush to join with Milford? We have strong girl participation, and joining with Milford would hurt that. Why the big rush by the administration? If everything moves to Milford, it won't be long before school spirit suffers and support for the school falls apart. KEEP THE TEAMS IN DORCHESTER!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Friend Supt. showed up at a Dorchester meeting for Dorchester school district voters and taxpayers? Hmmmmmmmm. When can Dorchester people start crashing Friend's meetings?
ReplyDelete