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Oct. 17---- The Willmar
unanimously approved a proposal for the implementation of a co-op between Willmar Public Schools and MACCRAY Public Schools for boys hockey.
The decision was made Monday after recommendations from Superintendent Bill Adams and Willmar Senior High School administrative and activities staff.
The proposal was put in place due to declining rates of participation in both districts' boys hockey programs. By accepting the co-op agreement, Willmar Schools hopes to keep the program active so that the school can maintain it for future students.
"To me the benefit is that some of our programs are at the point where if we don't look at cooperatives, they won't be around for future students," Willmar School Board Chair Justin Bos said during the discussion Monday. "My vote is to have this in place but get involved at an earlier age so they know they have a place to play in high school."
According to the agreement, the team would be called the Willmar Cardinals and would be primarily run by the Willmar district. MACCRAY would be required to pay a fee for each participating student and would be consulted on any major decisions regarding the team. It would also be up to each district to determine the eligibility of students to participate.
Despite the unanimous decision, there were concerns raised regarding future co-ops. Historically, the Willmar School District has not accepted co-op agreements, according to Adams. However, recently the district entered into an agreement with BOLD Schools for girls hockey.
"This is not something that was traditionally done in the past, but due to the fact that our participation numbers are at a lower level than they have been historically and are projected to be at the same level or lower in the future, looking at cooperative agreements with area districts is something (that) at this time is being recommended for the board," Adams said.
The board decided there would be a conversation during a meeting of the policy committee to determine if a policy on co-ops should be put in place. What this policy would be was not discussed at the meeting Monday; however, Adams stated that he would look into what other districts with such policies may have done.
Adams did state that the district would not want to enter into a co-op if such an agreement would bump a Willmar team into a different class due to school populations.
"That conversation did come up administratively about will this allow us to maintain our Class A designation or will it bump us up to Class AA. If this would put us over a tipping point, there would be no interest," Adams said during the board meeting.
The hockey co-op was also approved by MACCRAY Schools, according to documentation in the Willmar board's meeting materials and will go into effect this hockey season.
For more information on the school board meeting, or to view minutes and agendas from previous meetings, visit the Willmar Public Schools website at
and look under the School Board tab.
Continue reading...
unanimously approved a proposal for the implementation of a co-op between Willmar Public Schools and MACCRAY Public Schools for boys hockey.
The decision was made Monday after recommendations from Superintendent Bill Adams and Willmar Senior High School administrative and activities staff.
The proposal was put in place due to declining rates of participation in both districts' boys hockey programs. By accepting the co-op agreement, Willmar Schools hopes to keep the program active so that the school can maintain it for future students.
"To me the benefit is that some of our programs are at the point where if we don't look at cooperatives, they won't be around for future students," Willmar School Board Chair Justin Bos said during the discussion Monday. "My vote is to have this in place but get involved at an earlier age so they know they have a place to play in high school."
According to the agreement, the team would be called the Willmar Cardinals and would be primarily run by the Willmar district. MACCRAY would be required to pay a fee for each participating student and would be consulted on any major decisions regarding the team. It would also be up to each district to determine the eligibility of students to participate.
Despite the unanimous decision, there were concerns raised regarding future co-ops. Historically, the Willmar School District has not accepted co-op agreements, according to Adams. However, recently the district entered into an agreement with BOLD Schools for girls hockey.
"This is not something that was traditionally done in the past, but due to the fact that our participation numbers are at a lower level than they have been historically and are projected to be at the same level or lower in the future, looking at cooperative agreements with area districts is something (that) at this time is being recommended for the board," Adams said.
The board decided there would be a conversation during a meeting of the policy committee to determine if a policy on co-ops should be put in place. What this policy would be was not discussed at the meeting Monday; however, Adams stated that he would look into what other districts with such policies may have done.
Adams did state that the district would not want to enter into a co-op if such an agreement would bump a Willmar team into a different class due to school populations.
"That conversation did come up administratively about will this allow us to maintain our Class A designation or will it bump us up to Class AA. If this would put us over a tipping point, there would be no interest," Adams said during the board meeting.
The hockey co-op was also approved by MACCRAY Schools, according to documentation in the Willmar board's meeting materials and will go into effect this hockey season.
For more information on the school board meeting, or to view minutes and agendas from previous meetings, visit the Willmar Public Schools website at
and look under the School Board tab.
Continue reading...
