Track and field to stay at P-C, levy hearing set

By MATTHEW REZAB
Jefferson Herald staff

CHURDAN — Track and field athletes love to move fast, so being a Rocket seems like the perfect fit.

The Paton-Churdan School Board discussed options for sharing a track team with Greene County or Glidden-Ralston at its Oct. 12 meeting, but decided to keep the squad intact and at home for the time being.

P-C Superintendant Kreg Lensch said he brought the issue before the board because if the decision was made to fold the team it would give the district more time to find a partner for the athletes who wanted to compete.

“I think we just want to keep as many programs as we can,” Lensch said. “We still have kids that are interested in running for Paton-Churdan.”  

Lensch raised the question because last year the Rockets only had one female track athlete, which made it impossible for her to compete on relay teams. Last spring Greene County took the stance that if the P-C girls team incorporated into Greene County’s team, the boys should as well, Lensch said.

The boys team had seven participants in 2015 and similar numbers are expected in 2016. Lensch, who also serves as superintendant at Glidden-Ralston, confirmed that between meet registration fees, travel and coaching pay, the program costs the district around $5,000.

In other business, the board unanimously approved the Resolution of Intent for the Instructional Support Levy. State law requires ISLs to be renewed by board action every five years or through a referendum every 10 years.

Lensch said the proposal is for renewal of the current ISL and is not asking for a rate increase.

The program is supported with a combination of state aid and property taxes.

A public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the school library.

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