LOYAL SCHOOL BOARD VOTES TO DELAY TALK OF GREENWOOD ALL-SPORTS COOPERATIVE

Loyal, WI - The Loyal school district board of directors convened on Wednesday to, in part, officially consider an all-sports cooperative with Greenwood high school. The proposed co-op, already approved by the Greenwood school board, moved to Loyal for approval on Wednesday. The idea for co-op is seeking to address declining school enrollment in both communities and low participation levels in some sports. The two communities already pair for cross country and softball with a football co-op beginning this fall.

Board member Derek Meyer made a motion that would ask individual sports coaches to recommend future joint ventures to the board on an as needed basis for approval. That motion was defeated 4-2.

A discussion followed that centered around approving a girls basketball cooperative, rather than all athletic programs. A deadline to remain playoff eligible for next year’s season is February 1st, one week’s time. After a brief discussion on this topic, current Loyal girls basketball coach Mike Rueth was asked if he could meet with Greenwood girls basketball coach and bring back a recommendation to the board prior to next week Wednesday. Rueth advised the board that he did not have time to meet with his Greenwood counterpart. A motion for a girls basketball partnership did not materialize and instead the conversion evolved to delay further co-op decisions.

Board vice president Harlan Hinkelmann made a motion to delay the boards decision for one year. That vote passed by a hand vote count of 4-2. 

Greenwood basketball coach Trevor Wuethrich says Wednesday’s decision will have him searching for a permanent solution. “We can survive next year. We’ll have eight varsity only girls in the program, two of which are freshmen. Although it can work next year, it’s not a permanent solution. I’m looking for a commitment before the end of the school year (from Loyal) or I will look to Neillsville or Owen for a basketball partnership.”