BCS Combines Fall Sports With WCS

With low numbers of students signed up for Fall sports, Brookfield Central School agreed to allow students to play varsity soccer at Waterville.

Interim Superintendent Ron Wheelock explained at the June BCS Board of Education meeting that Waterville had reached out to welcome BCS athletes.

This year the two schools had combined girls varsity and modified basketball teams and modified softball.

Wheelock said nine girls signed up for varsity soccer, 12 boys for varsity soccer, 13 girls for modified soccer and eight boys for modified soccer.

He talked about the pros and cons of pulling modified athletes up to varsity to field a team.

Board members agreed to provide transportation for BCS athletes to Waterville for practices and games.

That, Wheelock and Board President Valerie Nolan said, would eliminate the biggest barrier for kids to play on the Eagles teams.

BCS ninth graders will play for the Beavers modified soccer teams, which should provide enough players to field teams.

BCS 10th, 11th and 12th graders will be allowed to play for Waterville.

Wheelock said Athletic Director Sarah Abrams had signups for Fall sports available for a month.

Students were also reminded about signing up during that time.

He said that timeframe likely eliminates that any more students will sign up to play soccer.

Wheelock said the idea of combining sports with another district has grown in the last five years.

“If we can’t do it here we can encourage kids to play even if it’s an another district,’’ he said.

Nolan said combining with another school is the reality of what BCS is facing.

“This way sports can continue,’’ she said. “And it’s good for kids to socialize with kids from other districts.’’

Financially, providing the transportation to practices and games will not have a financial impact on BCS.

Money already budgeted for coaching stipends and away game trips will be used to cover the cost of getting BCS athletes to and from Waterville.

Board members gave their approval and will make a formal vote at their July 14 meeting.

A planned presentation by the fifth grade on their Hydroponics project this year was cancelled because so many boys and girls in the class were playing in that night’s Little League championship games.

Business Manager Tiffany Lopesz said as of that night the District had spent 76 percent of its $8.3 million budget.

She said BCS was expected to finish the school year in a stable financial position. Lopesz said the District’s new plow truck arrived.

Wheelock said the new Capital Project has started by replacing lights in the building with LEDs.

New playground equipment geared for the youngest students is being ordered.

Board members approved rental agreements for BOCES to use classrooms at BCS, including for summer Driver Education.

That will run July 7-Aug. 22. Last year enough students signed up for two groups.

Tenure was granted to Elementary teacher Cassie Head and Math teacher Holly Melnikow.

Kiley McCuster was hired as the District’s Agriculture teacher.

Wheelock said the District is still looking for an Elementary teacher and Reading teacher.