VIENNA — At the February Maries R-1 School Board meeting, administrators informed the board members that they think it is okay for students at Visitation Inter-Parish School (VIPS) in Vienna to participate on middle school student sports teams.

High School Principal Ian Murray said they contacted other schools in the area and found out “it comes down to if we want to pursue it.” An affiliate agreement would be signed by both schools and they would form a co-op between the two schools. Murray talked about furthering the affiliation between Maries R-1 and VIPS by possibly offering an exploratory rotation for VIPS students to meet R-1 teachers and students. He’s not sure how this can be worked into the schedule but is open to the idea. 

Board member Penny Schoene asked about the special costs and if and what VIPS students would be charged to participate in cross country and basketball on R-1 teams. Superintendent Mark Parker said the schools they spoke to do not charge parochial students to participate in sports with the public school students. But, Maries R-1 can do what it wants. Schoene said she can see the value of charging if there are additional costs. 

Parker said they asked VIPS Principal Mrs. Marilyn Bassett if the public school students can be part of the PALS League archery team with VIPS and they are awaiting an answer. Parker, who is certified to teach archery along with Athletic Director Tyler Shalbot, said there may be enough interest among R-1 students to have their own team. He will do some polling about it over the next month and will see how much time, supervision and a stipend to pay a coach would be needed. 

About the co-op between the two schools, Parker said the schools they spoke to about sports co-ops only offered it at the middle school level. They didn’t have issues with it and said any parent concerns they had were worked through. 

Board member Vicki Bade said she is not in favor of charging the VIPS students because Maries R-1 already has in place what is needed for the teams. Parker said they are talking about potentially six 8th grade students and four 7th grade students. Even if they all joined R-1 students and ran cross country, they would not need extra staff and all that is needed for the team is in place and paid for. Murray said the only additional need might be uniforms.

Schoene asked about tax dollars being spent on parochial school students that was mentioned at last month’s school board meeting. Parker said they can look at is as they are R-1 students anyway because they live in the district. Also, with the co-op between the schools, every VIPS student, whether they live in the R-1 district or not, is part of VIPS and included in the agreement. “We do a co-op with them and all of those kids can participate,” Parker said, adding it is easier because they are middle school students. With high school students, the rules are different.  

Board President Cindy Petershagen said they are waiting to hear from Mrs. Bassett and will vote on this item at the March meeting.