1st Part Noble, Ill.- from Olney Daily Mail
West Richland School District Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the possibility of forming a two-year cooperative agreement for three sports between West Richland and Clay City high schools.
No decision was made during the meeting, which was meant to be informative and allow residents to comment. No one spoke against a possible co-op, but several people did express some concerns.
West Richland Superintendent Anthony Galindo said he felt that overall, there was a positive public response. He felt the same way about a similar meeting that was held Monday evening in Clay City.
No athletes were at Tuesday’s meeting. Only one athlete attended Monday’s meeting, Galindo said.
Both districts must accept an agreement, which must be turned in to Illinois High School Association before October.
At the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting, Galindo told the audience of more than 15 people that,“We are here to hear from you.”
The discussion for a possible co-op was prompted by decreasing enrollment, low numbers of students interested in participating in sports and the desire of both districts to have quality programs for students who are interested.
Galindo said the impact on finances for the district will be negligible.“In this instance, it will be kind of even,” he said.
At the end of the meeting, President Brian VanBlaricum pleaded with parents to not influence what their children’s decision regarding a possible co-op.“No matter what happens ... stick behind your kids. Don’t influence them. Let them make the decision,” he said.
A committee of superintendents, board members, athletic directors, coaches and principals has suggested forming a co-op for boys basketball, girls softball and cheerleading.
The committee has suggested that boys basketball and cheerleading could be hosted at Clay City and could be called the Clay City-Noble Wolves. The softball and girls basketball teams could be hosted at West Richland and be called the Noble-Clay City Wildcats.
Both districts have had a co-op of girls basketball for two years and the program has been hosted by West Richland. WRHS also has several players on the Olney Tigers football team.
A co-op would have to be formed for two years and approved by IHSA. The agreement would then have to be reviewed every two years by the state.
However, Galindo said that if the districts feel the agreement is not working, at the end of the two years, it can be dissolved.“We’re not tied to it. It’s not a marriage,” he said, adding each sport is treated separately.
He noted that after the two years, if there are higher numbers of students playing a particular sport than students at the host school, then the site of the host school could change.
“What we have to determine here, we have to think about the kids and the community,” VanBlaricum said.
WRHS Principal Kevin Westall and Clay City’s athletic director surveyed students about whether they would participate in a possible co-op sport.
According to information presented at the meeting, there were seven girls from West Richland who played basketball this year and one girl from Clay City. If there were no co-op, 10 West Richland girls and two Clay City girls said they would have played.
With the co-op, eight West Richland girls and two Clay City said they would play.
There were 11 West Richland girls who played softball and 12 Clay City girls. If there were no co-op, 14 West Richland girls and 15 Clay City girls said they would play.
With a co-op, 14 West Richland girls and 10 Clay City girls said they would play.
There were 14 West Richland boys and 12 Clay City boys who played basketball. Without a co-op, 12 West Richland boys and 15 Clay City boys said they would play.
Ten boys from both schools said they would play if there is a co-op.

2nd Part Noble, Ill.- from Olney Daily Mail
There were nine West Richland cheerleaders this year and 12 Clay City cheerleaders. Eleven West Richland girls and eight Clay City girls said they would cheer without a co-op.
Eight Noble girls and three Clay City girls said they would cheer with a co-op.
Westall said there cannot be a junior-varsity team to build a quality, competitive varsity team with low numbers of players.
Galindo said the survey was presented to students “in a short amount of time.” He said there may not have been enough time for them to think about all of the issues related to a possible co-op.
Westall said he could get every student’s opinion and then some kids could change their minds just before a decision is made.
Clay City Superintendent Jim Jones said Clay City students were interviewed, together, not separately, and he wondered if some student mimicked the opinions of others.
Greg Amerman said many boys did not want to play basketball because of the coaching.“I’m sure you’re well aware of the kind of coach we had last year,” he said, adding that he is glad that coach is no longer with the program.“That was the main problem the whole time.”
He said he felt the “major downfall” of the team was the coaching staff and is the reason why attendance at the games “has kind of depleted.”
Galindo said students know they will be getting a new coach, but noted one has not yet been hired.
Westall said the issue of coaching is in the past.“Here’s the thing, the past is over with. This has nothing to do with the past, it has to do with where we’re at now,” he said.
Some students may not want to play in a co-op, but if they don’t, they probably don’t like to play a particular sport anyway, he said, adding that seniors will have to think about the choice to either not play or “suck it up” and play in a co-op and because they love the sport in which they are competing.
Barb Amerman wanted to know why most games would be played in Clay City.
Westall said West Richland’s gymnasium seats about 300 people and Clay City’s seats about 600.
In addition, West Richland’s softball field drains well and the district owns the field, Galindo said.
Carol VanBlaricum questioned if seating capacity would really be an issue.
Westall said it would be “major issue.”
Board member Steve Kinkade said if there is a co-op, there would be three schools at the host school.
Galindo said that at West Richland, there would be a student body of approximately 200 plus parents plus fans from the other schools.
VanBlaricum said the entire student body probably would not attend the games. She also said there probably is no way to know who will play for sure and that there could end up being the same amount of players the schools have now.
Barb Amerman said her son has expressed an interest in playing basketball, but said he is not happy about a possible co-op. She said she is not against a co-op, but would not like to see basketball taken out the school and community.
Westall said there would probably be several games at WRHS. Clay City’s gymnasium is also larger than West Richland’s, he said.
Galindo said the districts want to build competitive programs and not have students being overplayed because there are not enough players. He said players also get tired of “getting beat to death.”

Westall said having someone play six quarters of basketball a night during a season is not good.
“If you want quality athletes, you have to give them points of success,” Jones said.
Barb Amerman said she looked forward to watching the Wildcats basketball team next season.
Westall said he understands that, but noted that he is looking at the following years as a way to build the program.
Jones said players may not be able to reach their potential if they have no one competitive against whom to practice.
Galindo and Brian VanBlaricum said some details about a possible co-op still have to be worked out between the districts.
VanBlaricum said there is hope to have a coach at each school if there is a co-op. If possible, the coach at the non-host school would be asked to
3rd & final Part Noble, Ill.- from Olney Daily Mail

become licensed to drive a school bus so they could transport the team.
Galindo said that could save the districts on the costs of hiring a bus driver. He also said that because of liability issues, the districts would prefer students be transported to practices and games rather than have them transport themselves.

Kevin Ryden can be reached at kryden@olneydailymail.com.

Sorry for having to breaking the Article into 3 parts
but it was necessary, now for my 2 cents worth:

Mr. Westall & Mr Galindo,

You need a reality check, it sure in the h-ll does to make a big difference what happened last year
and several years before. When you have Coaches that have NO student body respect year after
year it has a major effect on the program and those who might show interest. Where did
you go to college anyway; and did or did not you play basketball. The coach in the past has
everything to do with all of it, we call people with that attitude 'idiot', look it up in Websters.
While I am pro-co~op for the futures sake, It appears to me that the entire West Richland Administration
needs to get some facts straight and iron out some major issues before they sign on the
dotted line. If you think either Gym is going to be overflowing for several years, look at
schools with similar enrollment and as much sq. mileage as the two which will be cooped.
Grrrrrrrrr!!! for both Wildcat & Wolf fans.

#1 is Co-op Yes
#2 is Co-op No
#3 is Co-op Who Cares
#4 is Principal Informed
#5 is Principal Uniformed
#6 is Superintendent Informed
#7 is Superintendent Clueless

Good One Jeremy, and nice job setting it up.
I must say I have to agree with you. I graduated
from Clay City High many moons ago. Go Wolf-Cats!!!

To take it one step further, I personally would
like to see the 2 districts combine completely.
Maybe this will be the next step?

Nothing more to say at this moment, just lifting
this back to the top. I am interested in hearing
peoples opinion on this. Especially Noble and
Clay City School District residents.

Just wanted to move this to the Top again.

This crap is still being debated, with tempers
flaring.