My county is facing a budget crises, and they want to limit track teams to roughly 30 boys and 30 girls. I am advocated for as many as you, but at least 45 per team.
Their argument is 1 bus per team, not gender.
I am arguing participation, safety, and equality (1 bus per gender).
sorry for typos I am in a rush
I'd say you have a pretty good argument being that it is two teams (M/F). Explain how post-season works, the majority of athletes will not compete at the post-season level, so that is when the travel becomes the biggest issue.
DO you think they would go for a "practice squad"/"Varisty squad" set up? So all athletes can compete at weekday meets, especially home ones, and work out after school,but only the top-30 for each gender travel to invitationals and such?
Why does everyone have to travel to the meet? If you have a squad of 80 Just bring the "starters", the rest get to run in home dual meets.
I am arguing for 1 bus per gender, which basically lets you keep more kids. They want to save money on travel. So you would only keep your top kids, and they would have to go to every meet.
I have also argued that in our county the coaches are the officials so there is no officiating fees that the other sports have.
worriedcoach wrote:
I am arguing for 1 bus per gender, which basically lets you keep more kids. They want to save money on travel. So you would only keep your top kids, and they would have to go to every meet.
I have also argued that in our county the coaches are the officials so there is no officiating fees that the other sports have.
Solution -- Don't schedule Co-Ed meets.
And, do the cheerleaders ride the FB bus to games?
I would argue what has been stated before. You are really carrying 4 teams. JV and Varsity boys and girls. you deserve 2 buses.
You could easily argue that there is BOYS T&F and GIRLS T&F.
Unless they put boys and girls soccer on the same bus, you've got a good case.
If budget really is an issue, designate the one bus for your top kids, tell the other kids they can either drive themselves (not sure what the school rules are on this), or compete in home meets.
It's two separate teams. They don't score points together. They are not on the same roster. That's like saying a girls and boys LAX team is one team. That should be a Title IX issue. Is it the same coach for both teams?
You only need 1 bus for the whole team. You can keep as many as you want, just don't run kids at every meet. Try rotating who runs at meets and run the faster kids at invites
Some good suggestions already about not taking everybody to meets but I would also look at what you competition is doing. That might help your justification. If nothing else seems to be working organize a once a year team fundraiser that would hopefully be organized mainly by a parent committee. Ask the AD to give you a year with two busses and you will show him the fundraiser will work.
Easy title ix violation argument although you could lose your job while getting kids the extra bus. Have a parent write a letter to athletic director, principal, and school board or even better have a lawyer representing a parent do it. If it comes from an outside source you have a far better chance of keeping your job.
I sent in a reply stating the following
1. What is the savings?
2. Title IX
3. Coaches act as officials, and that already saves money
4. If needed institute a travel roster
girls can sit in guys' laps to save seats
mrsecretservice wrote:
girls can sit in guys' laps to save seats
Gives a new meaning to the idea of having the girls take a few laps.
Anyway, brilliant idea--they could always talk about the first thing that comes up.
Get the parents involved. If they are reluctant, let them know their kid might be one of the ones to go.
Have the AD or others at the school ask the school district lawyer about the cost of a lawsuit if any allegation are made due to having girls and boys on the same bus without adequate supervision. The cost of a 2nd bus and driver is a fraction of the cost of defending against a lawsuit. Have the parents give their opinion about having their freshmen daughters sitting next to senior boys. One of my high school cross country coaches put 22 boys and girls in a van with 3 bench seats back in the early 80's. Needless to say girls were sitting on boys laps and no one had a seat belt on.