High School Baseball Program Remains on Future School Board Agenda
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
High School Baseball Program Remains on Future School Board Agenda
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
The saga about whether Broadwater High School will have a baseball program continued Tuesday, November 14 at the regular School Board meeting held at the school community room. The question has been on the agenda several times.
Superintendent Susie Hedalen presented the upfront and ongoing costs of supporting a spring sport baseball team which include coaching and umpire stipends, transportation to games, equipment and field maintenance. Chairman Jason Noyes pointed out the ongoing lack of extra funds in the 2023-2024 budget. Another sport would also put more pressure on the part-time athletic director John Odell. “No matter how we look at it, a new program will take funds. We can’t approve (supporting the sport) without allocated funds,” he said.
Member Jason Kool suggested the district might consider changing out one spring sport every other year. Spring sports include track and field, golf and tennis. Kool pointed out the golf program serves 8 students. “Since we have 20 students interested in signing up for baseball, maybe we would serve more students in the baseball program with those dollars in a future budget,” he said.
Hedalen mentioned that it might be possible to take advantage of cooperative opportunities with the East Helena High School baseball program. Future funds might possibly be available through the Canyon Ferry Trust board. That group supports county recreational activities.
Middle School teacher and youth baseball board member Gary Bauman said he has approached both the county and the city about the use of the baseball fields. Youth Baseball uses the fields during the week, so possibly they would be open on weekends for high school baseball. “The greatest sticking point is where would the team practice?”
Member of the public Bill Duede suggested that since a sanctioned sport must have a school administrator present, a qualified person might be able to act as a substitute. He pointed out that additional acreage on Canton Lane next to Conners Field might be available to build another place for the high school team to practice.
Supporter John Bliele promised youth baseball would continue and encouraged the board to think about supporting players as they enter high school. “The program has grown 57 percent since it started. We have 163 children playing baseball and we have submitted a proposal to the county Parks and Recreation board for their support this year. So we’re still going to move along,” he said.
Board member Kool, showing frustration, pointed out the board cannot keep dragging out a decision. Noyes countered by saying the board cannot rush into a decision, but that it appreciates all the interest in the program. No decision was made.
Twenty- eight members of the public attended the meeting. Online streaming included 269 viewers.
