Highline School Board members focused on ways to get more students participating in athletics--especially in middle school, at an April 28 work-study session.

Athletic coordinator John Melver reported about 40 percent of the district's middle and high-school students play school sports. Some students may be involved in more than one sport so the actual participation rate may be lower.

The participation rate is 65 to 70 percent in surrounding districts, he added.

The district offers 16 sports for boys and girls as well as dance/drill and cheer.

Participation by girls has risen from 847 in 2006 to 919 this year, while 1,153 boys took part in 2006, rising to 1,310 for 2007 and dipping to 1,146 in 2008.

The numbers of girls in dance/drill has increased from 847 two years ago to 919 this year. Forty-seven girls are involved in cheer, down from 67 in 2006.

"Athletics is a passionate subject for some in the community," Melver noted. "It represents the district in the widest sense, particularly through the media."

In 1961, the district's nine junior highs offered five sports, including tackle football, preparing students to move up to play competitive sports at the district's five high schools, Melver told board members.

But in 1982, the district began emphasizing intramural sports when junior highs evolved into middle schools. Junior highs house seventh-through ninth-graders, while middle schools have just seventh and eighth grades.

In Highline middle schools, sports participation decreased for both boys and girls from 2006 to 2007. Offered intramural sports are basketball, flag football, track and volleyball.

Jerry Bamberg, Highline High athletic director, told board members he asked his students what fundamental change they wanted to see in the district's athletic program. The consensus was that the district should add varsity middle-school sports.

"If Highline kids don't wrestle until high school, they get killed in districts (tournaments)"? Bamberg declared.

Middle-school sports programs get immigrant and minority students more interested and proficient in sports, according to Melver.

"If you wait until ninth grade, they can't compete, " Melver added.

Board president Julie Burr Spani suggested, "If we can't offer the programs ourselves, maybe others could."

A barrier to high school participation is sports clubs that discourage their members from participating in school teams, Melver noted.

Coaching turnover also contributes to students leaving programs, according to Melver.

The district pays coaches about 40 percent less than surrounding districts, Melver reported. He noted the lowest paid and least experienced coaches in other districts are paid the same as Highline's highest paid coaches.

Board members expressed concern about students being "cut" from teams.

"How can we expand thinking about cuts?" Spani asked. "Kids want to be part of their school."

Spani added that the district has emphasized personalization in the high-school small learning communities.

"What is important to me is how we can make students feel good," Spani noted.

Melver replied that generally only baseball, basketball, volleyball and tennis cut players. If there are enough players, schools also offer junior varsity and "C" teams for those who don't make the varsity team. Melver added.

Evergreen High Athletic Director Daylene Boehm pointed to the school's no-cut tennis program where 68 students play. She noted about 30 less students would be involved if Coach Doris Burdin cut players.

Board member Sili Savusa said she is concerned about assistance for athletes who are using sports as a pathway to college but are struggling in their classes.

Superintendent John Welch said student athletes must balance passing their core classes with athletics, so if they go to college to play sports they are ready for college curriculum.

Melver reported the district requires students to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 out of a possible 4.0 and pass four out of six classes to be eligible to play. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the state's high-school athletics governing group, will require students to pass five out of six classes, beginning next school year, Melver said.

Board member Susan Goding said she wants to see school athletics evolve into focusing on fitness.

Melver said currently the school gyms don't have enough space to accommodate both varsity programs and intramurals.

Welch said the study session was "an initial board conversation" on athletics. The board will also look further at extracurricular activities along with athletics in the next school year, according to Welch.