Board approves middle school football

GREEN BAY - Football is coming to Green Bay's five public middle schools.

The school board unanimously approved the proposal at its meeting Monday night.  

For the first time ever, 7th and 8th graders in Green Bay will get a chance to play school-sponsored football next fall.

Several area school districts offer a similar program.

"We're extremely excited the Green Bay school board took a step to ensure equity and access for all our kids, relative to participation to middle school football," explained Mark Smith, executive director for secondary schools, activities and athletics.

Smith says the program is meant to improve the high school football programs and provide an opportunity for all students who want to participate.

He says it's also meant to stop the trend of losing students to other districts through open enrollment.

In past years, the district has lost up to one thousand students a year.

District officials say recent surveys showed more than 40% of middle school students wanted a football program.

It's open to both male and female students.

"It's just the right thing to do, to bring kids the opportunity to play football and the interest level of the kids was very high," said school board trustee Andrew Becker.

But the new program comes with a price tag.

The school district says it will cost $203,040 to start up. That's in addition to an annual operating cost of $73,640.

"I think the timing is wrong right now. We are trying to run programs and the high schools and middle schools that are inadequately funded," explained Aaron Vanden Avond of Green Bay during the meeting.

Vanden Avond was among a handful of residents who expressed their concerns Monday night.

The cost and the safety of the students worries some.

"I think we have to think about the safety issue, implementation with the referees, the coaches, and the qualifications that you would have," explained Jim Moore of Green Bay.

Smith says the program will follow all conference and WIAA regulations.

He says the funding will come out of the Community Service Fund, which he says pays for all middle school athletics.

The Great Lakes Independent Football Conference runs youth club teams in the area.

Conference officials say the new program will cost them players.

However, they told FOX 11 Monday night they still hope to work with the district to provide the best opportunities for the students.