Along with conducting the regular monthly business, the Sweet Springs R-7 School Board heard a concern from athletic director Tim Smith and head football coach Kris Conley during its meeting on Thursday, November 14.
Unofficial minutes from the meeting say the two explained that across the state there is a decrease in high school football participation, and therefore some schools are transitioning from the traditional 11-man football to the eight-man version of the game. They noted game schedules are done on a two-year basis.
After looking at upcoming class rosters, Smith is concerned the Sweet Springs High School participation numbers will be low with the 2021 football season. Options such as adding a third school to the co-op have been discussed, but he foresees scheduling practices to be difficult between three schools. Smith reported that several schools in the I-70 Conference also are looking into transitioning to an eight-man program. Sweet Springs already has a co-op agreement with the Malta Bend R-5 School District.
No vote was taken; and the subject will be readdressed at the December meeting.
In other news, it was announced the filing dates for board positions currently held by Robert Fuehring, Troy Schroeder and Brian Vogelsmeier will be during regular business hours from Tuesday, December 17, through Tuesday, January 21, 2020. The municipal election is Tuesday, April 7, 2020.