Good comments on a tough subject.

Still think sports programs prior to 9th grade are a community responsibility and not the school district. In my mind, if our schools are in bad shape, it is due largely to the last 60 years of non-education responsibilities we have put on the schools. I am a democrat and thus a liberal, but so many social programs are school based simply because there is supposedly no other community organization to manage them. This is particularily so in the bigger inner city areas and schools. But, I bet most of the small towns in Western Kansas have parks--at least ball fields (useable for kiddy football, kiddy soccer,etc), gyms that are not used after HS practices, and if I believe everything I read on this page, a kids wrestling club around every corner. Side comment, my son played T-ball, coach pitch, rec soccer and then several years of traveling club soccer in spring and fall(went on to play some CC soccer). All community or club based. Did start wrestling in HS as a 9th grader. The traveling club soccer did require some money and lots of time--games were all played 40 or more miles away. That was covered by Mom and I, not the school or taxpayer. Know lots of kids who played Legion Ball, Ban Johnson BB, Little League BB, Park and rec or local club BB, FB, G & B soccer, SB, LaCrosse, and others. Lots of kids, Bs & Gs did lots of traveling for soccer, BB, VB, SB, etc--all at mom and dads expense. People and communities have to make some choices: education-complete list of HS sports-middle school sports. I vote for 1 and 2 in all econ cases--good or bad.

Hopefully we can come to a good solution for everyone--doubtful-but still hopeful