Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Bowling, soccer will be added for girls
District working to comply with Title IX federal law prohibiting gender discrimination
By Betty Lawrence
COLDWATER - Two varsity girls sports, bowling and soccer, will be instituted in the upcoming school year at Coldwater schools in an attempt to make the school compliant with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in educational programs and activities.
Athletic Director/Dean of Students Eric Goodwin presented an update to the board of education Tuesday on the latest effort to comply with the rules of the Title IX law.
"We did a preliminary sign-up for girls interested in soccer next year and 38 signed up," Goodwin told the board.
The games would not be played in Coldwater, he said, adding he also would need to find a coach.
"We have to show growth to meet Title IX specifications and we can't count cheerleading as they don't consider that a sport," he said.
The school has been under a Title IX watch since 2006 when the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights investigated the school, following discontinuation of the girls gymnastics program.
Bowling will be moving from a club sport to a fully-sponsored school sport, high school Principal Steve Keller said.
"They asked that we initiate two new girl's activities," he said. "I think this qualifies us to be in compliance."
Board members approved the additions to the school sports program, which allows Goodwin to look for a soccer coach.
Board members also heard a presentation from Nan List and Marlene Springer on the personal finance class that was offered to juniors and seniors for the first time this year.
"It's been popular. We've had 97 students sign up for the class and a good response from the community," List said, adding students are taught various money management skills, including financial planning, banking services and credit card use.
In other action at Tuesday's school board meeting, members:
• Hired Ken Siefring for summer school bus cleaning at a rate of $150 per bus.
• Hired two people for summer custodial help and five for summer technology help.
• Approved the elementary student and staff handbooks for the 2009-2010 school year.
• Went into executive session to discuss compensation, employment of personnel and preparing for negotiations.
