Eighth-graders may soon be eligible for high school sports

The first Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees meeting of the year was held Tuesday at the Havre Middle School and board members were asked to consider their position on allowing eighth-graders to participate in high school sports.

Superintendent Andy Carlson acknowledged eight athlete students who recedived All-State selection as the meeting got underway.

“We live and die on what you guys do Friday and Saturday night,” he said, laughing and smiling.

The students recognized were Rachel David for cross country; Dani Wagner and Reggie Bernard for volleyball; and Jase Stokes, Nate Rismon, Dane Warp, Travis Adams and Parker Filius for football.

Havre High School Activities Director Dennis Murphy presented an amendment that would allow Montana school boards to let eighth-graders participate in all high school sports. As of now, eighth-graders can already play high school basketball and volleyball and run track. The change would allow them to take part in any other sports.

Murphy said this change would benefit smaller schools which have a difficult time keeping enough athletes on their rosters, thus keeping some programs alive. Should the statewide amendment be approved, the decision to allow eighth-graders to play high school sports would be left up to individual school boards.

The vote will take place Jan. 18 at the Montana High School Association meeting in Billings, where 179 schools are expected to participate.

Other issues brought up at the meeting were a 1.6 percent budget increase for the Montana High School Association which would not affect Havre.

The board assessed the tool it uses to evaluate itself. Everyone agreed the tool worked well and the board would continue to use it.

The board approved adviser Marie Deegan's proposal to take Spanish Club students to Costa Rica and Carly Rays' proposal to take choir students to Seattle for two different musical events.

Lastly, board members said they were proud to recognize that Havre High School sports had no ejections last year, and Principal Holly Bitz from Lincoln-McKinley Primary School shared aspects of a statewide program called the Montana Behavior Initiative that the primary school is implementing.

The next board of trustees meeting will be held Feb. 9.