For Highland and for that matter Iowa-Grant it is a numbers game.
It is not an accounting problem but rather a problem dealing with the future of athletics at both schools.
For Highland it is a struggle with low numbers. It was reported at a community meeting Monday that it is unlikely there will be junior varsity basketball for either boys or girls and the summer leagues have been playing with eight. Both expect their teams to be made up of 10 players this season, grades 9-12.
For those reasons the school board is looking at co-oping in the future with discussions underway with Iowa-Grant.
But that does not appear to be the answer according to parents who attended the meeting in the school library, called to gather community feelings. Several pointed out that the boys program at I-G already have strong numbers with the program encompassing three teams, one varsity and a JV1 and a JV2. There is even talk of a fourth team this coming season.
The girls program has undergone a coaching change and appears to be able to field both a varsity and JV this year. They expect at least 18 players this season after playing only a varsity schedule last year.
Highland parents seemed to feel that Highland athletes would see playing time suffer with a co-op. But some see a co-op as the only way to provide basketball in the future for Highland athletes.
Last year the girls team got through their season with no eligibility problems due to grades. The boys program had several JV games canceled because grade problems sent players to the sidelines. Parents are concerned that grades, illness and injury could force cancellation of games this coming season.
It was suggested that Highland makes the best of it until Iowa- Grant’s participation numbers go down which would allow Highland athletes to have a better chance of gaining playing time.
District Administrator and girls basketball coach Josh Tarrell said the board is looking at co-op possibilities in all sports due to declining enrollment and low participation numbers. He pointed out that wrestling, baseball and softball will all be co-oped and the board requested that football be added to a co-op after this season for 2028. Iowa-Grant is waiting for the results of a survey to decide if they will accept the co-op football request.
Tarrell’s numbers of 10 girls committed was challenged but he maintained that is the information he has at present.
There was also a question if a coaching change would attract more players. Tarrell said if that was the case he would step away from the program. The person who asked that question said it was just a question and nothing else.
The question was asked what would happen if Iowa-Grant does not want to co-op. Tarrell said other schools have been contacted and that will continue. It was pointed out that
gymnastics co-ops with Dodgeville, Mineral Point and Iowa-Grant.
Another question was asked about the possibility of the girls co-oping without the boys. Tarrell said that is always a possibility.
A coach in the audience pointed out that girls basketball numbers are declining nationwide.
“It is a tough, demanding sport for girls,” he said. “It is a long season and the way the game is played has become very tough physically. Girls are stepping away from the program and not just here. You could go door to door asking for girls to come out and they will turn you down.”
A deeper dive took place with the future of having a school in Highland. The question was asked what the number would be that would move the school towards consolidation. That will be a topic of the future.
But, during that discussion is was pointed out that if all the sports programs are co-oped then what would keep people from moving into the I- G district and not Highland?
It was also pointed out that athletic events draw people to the school and unites the community. The fear is that this will all go away with only a few contests played in Highland each season.
The contract with I-G with the present co-ops gives games at the cooping school (Highland) based on pro-rated participation.
Tarrell said the board will take the information from the meeting and continue looking at co-ops.