Bigfork to accept switch to Class B
Bigfork Eagle
After hearing more than an hour of discussion from parents, coaches, community members and players from the Bigfork High School volleyball team, the Bigfork School Board voted not to appeal the Montana High School Association's, recommendation to move BHS to Class B beginning next school year.
"We looked at travel, money, scholarships and all of the key points," Bigfork Superintendent of Schools and acting BHS principal Russ Kinzer said at the meeting, which was attended by nearly 30 people. "But what it came down to was whether our students could compete at a fair level. We have to do what's best for the kids. There are MHSA guidelines and they are there for a reason. Therefore, we are recommending to the board that we accept the move to Class B."
In a 4-2 decision, with one board member absent, factors of traveling time and distance were one of the biggest concerns the board listened to from parents and student-athletes.
"I'm not really excited about sending my daughter on an eight hour journey across Montana for a game," said Diana Rahdert. "And I like the games being close enough for parents to go to."
Many parents and students shared their concerns about travel time cutting into homework and sleep time on school nights. While the point seemed to be well noted, it was also pointed out that Bigfork is lucky to have not had to deal with lengthy travel distances in recent years as is the case with many schools in the state.
Another concern that was raised by attendees was the loss of local rivalries in the valley if Bigfork moved to Class B.
"We have rivalries and friends in the schools we play against now," said Mallery Knoll, a BHS sophomore who plays basketball and volleyball. "People like to watch us play those schools. We think that we're competitive in Class A besides one area. In girls sports we're competitive in Class A and we want to stay."
"I know that everyone is trying to do this for us. Maybe we're not as educated as we should be about this, but I haven't talked to anyone that plays sports that wants to go to Class B."
Other parents and coaches shared Knoll's concern about losing rivalries and playing in a less competitive conference.
Matt Porrovecchio, who serves as the school's assistant activities director, the tennis coach and the librarian, was a student at BHS when the school competed in Class B.
"I think that the initial reaction is that we will lose some of those rivalries," he said. "But they don't just go away. There are others. I loved Class B. I loved the people we played against. I think the initial shock of moving is a lot at first. But once you get there you make new friends and you make new rivalries."
Proponents for both sides were frustrated with the time restraints put on the decision. The school was only notified last week that it was being moved to Class B and only has until Friday, Nov. 14, to submit an appeal to MHSA.
Many parents, as well as the two board members that voted against allowing the move to Class B, wanted the board to appeal the move so that the community and the school could spend the next two years watching enrollment numbers and team success, as well as have additional time to review the data already acquired.
There were many parents who felt that the students should be involved in the decision as well, some even saying that the students should get to vote to decide whether an appeal should be made. An idea that was talked about, but not strongly considered for several reasons, including time constraints and the notion that the parents should be making decisions for their children.
When the discussion finally moved to the board members Trustee Paul Sandry moved to not petition to stay in Class A and Mike Roessmann seconded the motion.
"This is supposed to be about what is best for the kids," Sandry said. "The only thing I've heard about that isn't good for the kids is about travel. Kids on a bus for long trips is not about the kids as a whole. This is what is best for the kids as a whole."