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Agreed on that point. Consolidation is for allowing more academic outlets for students and for cost savings. Sports should be nowhere in the consolidation discussion. As a byproduct, it would allow for more avenues for students. Think boys volleyball and boys and girls lacrosse. Kids would find them if they knew they could not make the football team.

Isn't that why back when, there were intramural programs, so those kids who didn't make the grade so to speak, had an outlet to compete in those same sports, within the friendly walls of the schools? What happened to intramural programs? On an aside, I would just like to point out that there seems to be a couple diametrically opposed points of view on this thread. This can only escalate into name-calling, threats to individuals, cries for people to "show themselves to the world" by coming out from behind a screenname, etc. and all kinds of buddies rushing to defend their respective point of view. Isn't a 2 party system wonderful?

Its a shame that these debates degenerate into such heated arguments, and that so many hold a no-compromise viewpoint.

On the other hand deepcreek, I see your point about other programs being able to attract more kids if they "don't make the football team" at a consolidated school. But the issue quickly becomes one of cost again. Will schools that merge to save money spend more money on additional sports - not many boys volleyball or lacrosse programs in the region. My viewpoint on the subject is that the more kids involved the better- because it keeps them out of trouble. Since when are high school sports supposed to be about elite competiton and entertainment for guys like us? Aren't these activities supposed to be a part of the curriculum of a well-rounded student???

Manfred, just curious, how many schools in this region ever had intramural programs. I don't think any of the LHAC or WestPAC schools ever did, with perhaps the exception of Johnstown at some time in the distant past. At one point it was considered such a good thing to keep kids busy that governments even paid people to do so. In the 1940s, 1950s and maybe even into the 1960s many towns had full-time employees at the local parks who ran leagues during the daytime. Nowadays if you go to the playgorund you might get in a pickup game of hoops, but you can always pick up a dime bag.

Thank you Manfred.

Actually most high schools had an intramural program until the early 80's when union contract negotiations forced school boards and administrations to do away with them. Sort of like the 4.5 (soon to be 4) day teaching week at some schools. Cut things that help kids instead of consolidating, wiping out duplicative services (administration, physical plant,etc) and having some money to run an IM program. that's the choice that was made. Now kids who would be enjoying IM teams have no outlet. Coupled with pitifully low numbers -- this is how you get girls and band kids on your football teams.

And say oww, HS sports are NOT an ACTIVITY that are "part of the cirricullum of a well rounded student". They are a PRIVILEDGE earned by doing well in the classroom, working hard in the weightroom and on the court and MAKING the team in a COMPETITIVE tryout. Kids are not ENTITLED to be on a varsity sports team -- except, of course, at the piss ant schools that should not exist where anyone who wants (including girls) can be on the football team because they do not have enough kids to field a team otherwise. It is pitiful to see how this entitlement mentality has infected our public schools like an insidious disease. While the union and those of the entitlement mentality fight conolidation to protect a few jobs our kids suffer irreparable harm because of a lack of competition in academics and athletics. They grow up thinking they deserve the trophy cause they have never had to compete.

psycho: Wow, man. I'm going to cry. That was friggin' so right on the money. I don't always agree with you, but you do have strong convictions, and in this instance, I want to thank you for the explanation of why IM programs disappeared.

A lot of anger pent up anger inside of you, psycho. Two things - one, I can tell you that Somerset County schools didn't have intramural programs. And number two, being on a sports team is definitely a part of the experience and maturation process of the high school years. Its part of who we are as a society. Its why even piss-ant towns get two or three thousand fans to come out and watch their local school team play on Friday nights. Like I said before you can continue to shout your extremist views at the rest of us, but its not going to change the fact that the value and lessons learned from sports competition, no matter what the skill level, is a good thing. Again, if schools need to be merged, they will. However, to do so for sports reasons is just ridiculous, and shouldn't even be discussed. But rest assured, whatever happens, I am sure both sides will get to have their say.

From what I understand, the ONLY reason for school mergers is for the "welfare of the students". Not sports, not finances. Welfare of the students.

So do schools then pose a plan to merge sports teams. Make larger teams, a higher competition within.

Did you read the Tribune the last two days?

Yesterday they ran an article disclosing that SAT scores are now at AN ALL TIME LOW. I guess that's why the teachers union keeps inventing awards for public schools and finances billboards when one of their controlled schools "wins" one of their invented "awards". Gives the public the perception that things are going well. Man have these guys ever learned from their politician buddies. Perception to an uneducated public is 95% of reality.

Today the article on Ferndale considering renovating their school or moving to the Career and Tech center in RICHLAND just blew me away. Such blantant WASTE of someone elses tax money. It is appalling. On their way to new digs 5 miles from Ferndale, the moving van will pass JHS and Richland high schools. Assinine to ever float these ideas. Is there no limit to how far they will go to keep this dissappearing school open. I guess they will go as far as they can as long as they can use someone elses money. Senator Wozniac, please put an end to this insanity.