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Last updated on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
(MITCHELL) - Mitchell will have a varsity high school soccer team. A crowd of supporters attended the school board meeting Monday and made their pleas.
Mike Lewis of the Times-Mail reports that after more than a half-hour of debate, board members voted 3-2 to add soccer as a varsity sport. Board members Jamie Kirk, Michele Super and Marnie LaFevor voted in favor. Chris Shaw and Debra Beeler voted against.
Before the vote, Shaw and Beeler said their concerns were not about the sport, but about the school budget.
Generally speaking, athletic expenses (like uniforms) come out of the athletic department's budget, while coaches' salaries must be paid from the general fund. And Mitchell is looking at a potential cut of $750,000 in it general fund, which comes from the state.
Shaw and Beeler wanted to review the financial report from the state before making a decision. That report, which Mitchell officials expected this month, is now not expected until February.
Scott Petty has been the head soccer coach for the past three years, when it functioned as a club and junior varsity sport. He told the board coaches would continue to volunteer their time.
He was frustrated, because the board first asked him to show that there was interested. More than 20 players have been on the roster the past two years. He also said the team has only asked for the school to help pay for transportation and referees.
The Mitchell varsity soccer team will officially take the field when the season starts in the fall of next year.
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