Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - After a lengthy discussion Monday the Triton School Board adopted a new sports policy, in effect shutting a door opened two years ago.
Under the new policy no students will be approved to participate in IHSAA sports outside of those provided by the school, except the one student who is currently involved.
In 1994 the board gave a qualified "let's see how it goes" permission for then freshman Amber Shirey to be her own swim team representing Triton. This was approved following the athletic director's recommendation.
Her father agreed to serve as her coach, providing transportation, planning practices, abiding by all IHSAA regulations and attending all required IHSAA meetings. Amber is allowed to swim when there is an available lane at dual meets at Warsaw. This helps her prepare for the sectional swim meets, where she has been the only Triton swimmer.
For Triton this means a contract must be drawn every time she competes.
Everyone involved agrees that things have gone well with Amber's participation and no real problems have come up.
Athletic director Mike Byron said he has had several inquiries about other exceptions, prompting him to wonder where this will end. Byron and high school principal Kelly Simpson recommended closing this door, with Amber allowed to compete until she is out of high school.
The problem gets a little more complicated: One of the inquiries about off-site participation comes on behalf of Amber's brother Scott, who is a freshman.
Board member Ken Blackford finally moved to "draw the line with Amber's participation. Otherwise you let the door open for others." It was noted that allowing Scott to swim for Triton would keep the door open four more years.
Blackford's motion was seconded by Steve Sechrist and supported by Robert Huffman. Steve Feldman and Larry Lemler opposed the motion. Lemler suggested the line could be drawn at swimming. Feldman noted that as a smaller school this is one way to expand the athletic opportunities.
Lemler brought up again his concern about cars parking in the fire lane of the circle drive on the south side of the high school. Sechrist threw in his concern about the misuse of the handicapped parking area. Superintendent Rex Roth was directed to take care of the problem. Proposed solutions included more signs with specific wording, inviting local police to write warnings and parking tickets, or towing the offending vehicles.
It was noted many of the offenders are school employees.
The official student count is down 47 from last year. The elementary has 25 fewer and the junior-senior high school is down 22. The total student population is 1,094.
