Manchester Cross Country Team Talks To School Board
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
NORTH MANCHESTER - Although it was a junior-varsity-only sport this season, the Manchester Junior-Senior High School Cross Country Team competed in 10 meets and sent runners to the sectional.
Tuesday night, members of the the cross country team addressed the Manchester Community Schools Board of Trustees. Team members thanked the board for allowing them to compete this season and encouraged the board to consider making it a varsity sport.
"Our goal is to get the program back to what it used to be," said Jody Sarber, cross country coach. "Anybody that runs knows Manchester Cross Country."
This season, the cross country team was re-instated after a four-year break. The team was designated as a junior varsity sport and runners were allowed only to compete at that level.
Individuals were allowed to compete in the sectional meet, where Aaron Medley placed 25th overall and Sydni Terrill finished 19th.
Medley told the board that he appreciated the opportunity to run this season.
"I encourage you to turn (cross country) into a varsity sport," Medley said. "It's the only way the program is going to build."
He also said that running in the junior varsity race was not sufficient preparation for the varsity competition that ran in the sectional.
Thirty students competed at the high school and junior high levels this season. Sarber said he thought there would be enough runners to field a full girls team and a full boys team at the varsity level next season.
The board also:
n Heard a presentation about the student assistance program from Tim Nussbaum and Scott Wiley of the Bowen Center. From July 1, 2006, to June, 30, 2007, 63 students from Manchester Community Schools used the program, which allows students two free counseling sessions at the Bowen Center.
n Approved two requests to apply for grants: one to the Wabash Solid Waste Management District from Tom Brown for the Education Support Grant; and the other for the 2008 Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program through the Lilly endowment titled "Reclaiming Creativity Through Van Gogh's Provence" from Debra Kern.
n Approved an educational field trip request for Gwen Mize to take six FFA members to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 23-27.
n Approved professional leave requests for Eric Augustus to attend the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy Nov. 14-15 and April 14 in Indianapolis; and Edith Stone and Kelliemarie Sorg to attend the Indiana Council of Teachers Mathematics Conference Oct. 21-22 in Indianapolis.
n Approved a Sunday building rental for the Manchester Youth Sports Association and Manchester Area Programs to use the Manchester Senior High gym on Sunday through Dec. 2 for the Girls Youth Basketball Programs.
n Approved the hiring of Leslie Karnof and Karen Pegg, educational assistants at Manchester Elementary School; Heather Schannep and Lisa Boocher, part-time cooks at MES; and Kyle Powers, long-term physical education/health substitute teacher.
n Approved an extension of medical leave for Anne Fetro.
n Accepted the resignation of Mitch Waters, assistant swim coach, Manchester Junior Senior High School.
