Special presentations opened this month's board of education meeting on Oct. 19. The presentations given firstly by the PTA to the board to recognize the work they have done for the students. The second presentation was the annual administrative interns' presentation. The three interns, Danielle Grandin, Jamina Clay, and Fred Kaden each presented the board with a description and power point demonstration on different portions of the school district. This year's presentations dealt with the dedicated space in the schools and the comprehensive school district website.

After the presentations, the meeting continued with the discussion of some old business and public participation. There was also a Facilities Advisory Committee update. Bill Meilink spoke to the board of the upcoming bond vote on Dec. 6. Meilink informed the board and public that the schools are in need of new boilers and boiler controls. Windows are also needed at Howitt West and the high school and he feels the work is very necessary.

The board then looked to Assistant Superintendent Barbara Horsley as she discussed the idea of allowing middle school students to play high school level sports. A policy already is in place that does not allow this to take place unless there is no desired team at the middle school level and the student has demonstrated enough skill. Horsley has been presented with some who are against the policy and has listened to their reasoning. Horsley came to the board to see if she should continue to have further conversation on the matter.

The conversation then turned to the board members as they discussed what should be done with this sports policy. Tina Diamond thought it would be a good option to go over it again if it could benefit all students.

Russ Catanzaro thought differently as he felt that the decision was made and should be left alone. "We've made a decision we need to stick with it, I'm not going to change a policy every time some one complains," Catanzaro said.

President Charlie Russo disagreed with Catanzaro and said that policies are made to be re-written. "When you have a policy that affects children you have to listen to the public" he said.

Vice President Steve Wilson felt that the policy should stand for many different reasons. Most importantly to him was the social interaction involved when mixing middle and high school students. Wilson feels that there is a great difference between 8th graders and seniors in high school. Wilson also pointed out that middle school students can excel at the middle school level as leaders. Like Catanzaro he expressed the need to let the policy ride.

In the end the idea of re-visiting the policy was voted down with a 4 to 2 vote against the sports policy. The next meeting has been re-scheduled from Nov. 2 to Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. at Howitt.