When the Clarion Area and Clarion-Limestone School Districts first entered into cooperative agreements for selected sports, each district tried to split the costs of the sport evenly but in the end the districts discovered splitting everything evenly was more trouble than what it was worth.
At its regular voting meeting March 12, the Clarion Area school board unanimously approved a revised cooperative athletic agreement between Clarion Area and C-L.
Clarion Area Superintendent Dr. Joe Carrico explained at the Clarion Area work session March 5 that the districts contracts had become quite confusing and convoluted since the districts began cooping sports in 1996 that both administrations felt there was need for a change.
He went on to say that there were a number of different ways the districts tried to even everything out including having a flat fee or no fee if transportation was included to having a per student fee.
“It ahead of us to a point that I don’t think we had a contract in place for the softball [co-op],” Carrico said. “We agreed to it and it was just kind of there. As we move forward in the process, the conversation was, how to we create a more comprehensive, formal template where you can plug and play?'”
Under the new co-op agreement, the host district of each co-op sport is responsible for the costs of each sport it hosts.
“From this point forward there will be no fund sharing,” Carrico said. “If you are the host district, you pay for the program.”
Clarion Area will be the host district for football, marching band and wrestling while C-L will be the host district for boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, softball and football cheerleading. C-L is anticipated to transition to the girls’ soccer co-op host this coming fall. Clarion was the girls’ soccer host since the co-op was formed.
The districts are also in discussions to co-op cross country and Junior High co-ed soccer in the fall of 2024 with C-L slated to be the host district for both sports.
The sport host will also be responsible for the team transportation to events but the non-host school would be responsible for transportation of its athletes to and from practices.
For the football co-op, Clarion will host all but one home game with C-L hosting a game in the middle of the season for its Homecoming game. North Clarion is also part of the football co-op.
If field conditions are too poor at the host district’s athletic field, an event could be moved to the non-host district’s athletic field.
All co-op sports will be transitioned to the Central Clarion Wildcats logo and theme with the timeframe to be determined by the districts.
According to Carrico, the athletes on the Central Clarion branded teams enjoy the Wildcats logo and moniker.
If a district decides to exit the co-op, it will be responsible for purchasing the remaining districts’ uniforms.
In other business, the board:
– Hired Natalie Anderson as a Step 0-1 Mentor Teacher for a half year at a cost of $375.
– Accepted the resignation of PCA Emily Buzard (Coon) effective March 29.
– Approved the comprehensive plan.
– Approved the disposal of the following surplus items:
High school library books, technology, elementary furniture including, 40 wooden chairs, three round wooden tables and two rectangular wooden chairs.
– Approved the second reading of policy No. 214 (Class rank), No. 236.1 (threat assessment) and No. 267 (electronic devices)
– Approved the 2024-25 CHAMPS agreement for athletic services at total cost of $54,707.28 to the district which is an increase of $2,744.83 over 2023-24.
– Approved the 2024-25 academic calendar with the students first day of classes to be Aug. 21. The last day for students is May 29, 2025.
– Approved the following 2022-23 financial statements including the commitment of funds:
Future pension costs, add $1,100,000
Future medical costs, add $800,000
Transportation subsidy reduce $90,000
Storm water fees, add $32,614
Marching band uniforms add $45,400,
– Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Clarion Area Education Support Professionals.
– Approved awarding the high school Chromebook lease of 450 units to CS Technologies Plus at a total cost of $221,850.
The board’s April work session is scheduled for April 2 and its next voting meeting is scheduled for April 9. Both meetings will be held in the Large Group Instruction room in the Clarion Area High School.