Maries R-1 School Board considers 6th graders playing on middle school teams

By Laura Schiermeier, Staff Writer
Posted 5/11/22

VIENNA — In an effort to boost the number of athletes on the girls middle school and later high school sports teams, the Maries R-1 School Board will decide whether or not to allow 6th graders …

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Maries R-1 School Board considers 6th graders playing on middle school teams

Posted

VIENNA — In an effort to boost the number of athletes on the girls middle school and later high school sports teams, the Maries R-1 School Board will decide whether or not to allow 6th graders to compete on the Middle school teams.

At the school board’s April meeting, High School Principal Ian Murray said he thinks they should allow 6th graders on both the boys and girls Middle school teams. He said they must be treated all the same, but wants to do this now because otherwise, the girls may not be able to have enough players to have a team. 

The board members had some questions, such as if a large number of students come out for the team, will they then cut some students from the team? Murray said no, but parents need to be told there is no guarantee their student will play much. He said they might even consider adding a C-level game for the 6th graders to get playing time and gain experience. He restated this is especially important for the girls teams as they are lacking in numbers. Murray said he sees only benefits in allowing the 6th graders another year of opportunity to play and to develop their skills. There may be complaints that the 6th graders go to practices but only get limited playing time. Murray said parents will know up-front how it will be.

Board member Dave Garro said it is numbers game. Board member Kacie James asked if other schools do it. Murray said many of them do “and you can tell it.” Board Vice President Penny Schoene asked if there are limits on the number of years a student can participate in athletics and Murray said no. 

Garro suggested they can reach out to other schools that have 6th graders on their teams and maybe Vienna can have a 6th grade tournament. This way these young athletes get their own special games to get experience. 

The board will vote on this at the May meeting.

Also at the April board meeting, Murray recommended the board hire Kenneth Miller of Vienna to coach Middle school Boys Basketball and to be the Assistant Boys Varsity Basketball Coach. He is a graduate of Crocker High School and is married to a Vienna alumni. James said she’s seen his work and that he built relationships with the kids. Bade asked that he be asked to be a substitute teacher, too. The board approved hiring Miller. 

Elementary Principal Shanda Snodgrass recommended the board hire Ashley Miller of Rolla, as a first grade teacher. Snodgrass said she has her general education degree and has a minor in elementary education. Currently she is completing the certification process and will be finished in May. The board approved hiring Miller.

Snodgrass said VELC preschool teacher Ellie Glick is leaving at the end of the school year and Nichoel Snodgrass who was assisting her would like to transition into the preschool teacher position. She is working toward certification. She has a college degree and is going the alternate way to certification. Messersmith said first the position needs to be posted within the district to see if other teachers are interested. Schoene said they have to do this, adding Snodgrass may be the most qualified.