Middle schools miss out

Regarding the Sept. 22 article, “Former Cascade baseball coach likes view from new position”: It should also be noted that, in addition to Bob Smithson’s new view from his office, he made the decision to cut all of the junior varsity football games for all of the eighth graders in the district’s middle schools. That negates opportunities for these kids who work hard every day in practice to play in a game for any substantial period of time. Though these kids may not be the most talented at this physically awkward stage of their young lives, they need the opportunity to develop in these well-matched contests, which the coaches take extra time to arrange because they care about the student-athletes.

These games have been happening for the past four years since I’ve been a volunteer coach for Eisenhower Middle School. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very glad the new district athletic director enjoys his new view. But why not get out of his office and make something happen – or at least sustain what we have? Being a public school teacher, I am sickened when the overpaid administrators make cuts without consulting those of us who work in the trenches to make the district look good. Basically my message to Mr. Smithson, the new AD, is this: Welcome to your overpaid position, the honeymoon is over, it was short and sweet. Now get off your rear and do something positive for the programs that benefit our kids. Please!

Everett

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