GFW Board rejects basketball proposal

Parents against

road time

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

WINTHROP -- After several parents voiced objections to a plan designed to unify boys and girls basketball in grades 7-12, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop unanimously rejected the idea Monday.

The plan, which was developed by boys and girls varsity basketball coaches Rich and Becky Busse, would have moved all boys practices and games to Winthrop and girls practices and games to Fairfax in order to gain consistency in a number of ways.

Superintendent Stephen Malone said the plan was patterned after similar programs at Sibley East and McLeod West schools. He wrote in his board notes that he supported the plan because of the potential benefit to students.

Before the board vote, Malone encouraged everybody to support the Board and coaches after the decision.

While parents and board members praised the Busses for their coaching efforts and time spent on developing an extensive plan, they argued that it would add 5,802 miles and 161 hours spent by playrs on the highway each basketball season.

Parents and board members from Winthrop, Gibbon and Fairfax said they opposed the plan because it would have added hardships with more time spent on winter roads, some of it in private cars, which they considered less safe than school buses.

Board chairman Tom Van Hon suggested scheduling some joint practices so coaches could work together more often.

Van Hon called for a motion for joint practices, but none came.

A parent suggested all varsity games be played at the high school and other games be played at respective schools instead of having them at several schools throughout the season. No motion came from that idea either.

The Board unanimously approved:

* extending Malone's contract for three years through June 30, 2007. He would earn $91,500 next school year, $93,500 for 2005-2006 and $94,950 for 2006-2007. Average salary increases would be 2 percent per year.

Total district costs for the period including health and life insurance and tax-sheltered annuities would increase an average of 3.6 percent per year. His total contract cost to the district over the three years would be $121,604, $125,581 and $129,160.

* fiscal year 2005 Community Service Fund Budgets as presented. Because the Early Family Education program will no longer get grant funding from the Sibley County Children's Collaborative, expenses and revenues were reduced accordingly. Tuition will be increased and a fund-raiser will be held next year.

* accepted the resignation of Students Against Drunk Driving Advisor and JV Softball Coach Ericka Carlson.

* not renewing Carlson's cheerleading advisor contract and provided written notice iaw MS 125.12 Subd 3.