Loyal parents, athletes not interested in girls basketball co-op, survey shows
By Valorie Brecht Loyal girls basketball participants and parents are, on the whole, not interested in pursuing a cooperative program with Greenwood at this time, a recent survey found.
The Loyal School District held a parent meeting Nov. 14 for grades 6-12 as an opportunity for students and parents to voice their thoughts. They were given a survey that asked if they would support co-oping with Greenwood for the 2025-26 school year. Co-op agreements are for two years, so the co-op would last at least through the 2026-2027 school year.
Fifty-five people responded to the survey, with 35 parents/guardians and 20 of the 41 basketball players submitting a response. Of those who responded, 38 said no to a co-op (69%) and 12 said yes (31%). The students were more strongly opposed to the idea than the parents. Looking at the student responses, 15 said no (83%) and 3 said yes (17%). For the parents/guardians, 23 said no (72%) and 9 said yes (28%).
On the survey, respondents also had the opportunity to provide feedback or additional information they thought the school board should know.
“With the short answer part, I thought a lot of very good points were made,” said Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Justin Stoegbauer.
School board member Tom Odeen expressed his appreciation to Stoegbauer and the others who coordinated the meeting and survey.
“Three quarters of the comments said, ‘We want to remain separate’ and I certainly understand where they’re coming from with the numbers where they’re at,” said Odeen.
School districts have until Feb. 1 to submit a co-op program application to the WIAA for winter sports, so that was the main impetus behind Loyal conducting the survey. The board planned to put the girls basketball co-op item on the next agenda for discussion and/or possible approval.
The Loyal and Greenwood school districts have co-oped for four of the nine sports each district offers, with volleyball, boys and girls basketball, baseball and track and field remaining separate. Last January, after impassioned parents and staff members spoke at Loyal and Greenwood meetings regarding co-oped sports, the Loyal board voted to hold off on pursuing any additional co-ops for another year, and then revisit the issue.
Fire site excavation completed Above, workers from Paul Bugar Trucking continue to excavate the Loyal fire site last Friday, Nov. 29. Now all that remains is a leveled dirt lot, with a few old appliances waiting to be hauled away. Below is the view from Main Street looking east at the lot.
VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTOS
