Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Colfax School Board voted Monday to uphold its recommendation that sports teams not practice on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Responding to a letter from a parent requesting the Thanksgiving football practice be reinstated, the newly-reelected board discussed it at the district office Monday night.
Board member Laura Johnson opened up by saying she thought there should be no practice on that day.
It was noted that Thanksgiving sports practices in the past had been voluntary.
Board member Debbie Pearson had a concern about that.
“The kid that is after the same position who has missed the practice, then what?” she asked. “What does the coach do?”
Board member Robert Smith then weighed in.
“I don’t have a problem with Thanksgiving, but Christmas – no way,” he said.
“I don’t believe there is such a thing as voluntary,” Johnson commented.
Other holidays were brought up – Easter? St. Patrick’s Day? Martin Luther King Day?
Colfax High principal Gary Weitz added a comment:
“I think what makes it unique is that the football team is always successful, whether that’s contending for the state semifinals or what have you,” said Weitz. “And if the next playoff game is on that Friday… Most of the other holidays are right in the middle of the season.”
Board president Brian Becker reminded the group that the issue is not an action item. Their options were to uphold it and allow no practice on Thanksgiving or Christmas, or they could lift the restriction completely. They could also leave the Christmas ban in place and allow Thanksgiving.
“I’m for upholding our original decision,” said Johnson.
“I’m in the middle,” said board member Kathy Wride, as she weighed both sides. “You give them this and next it’s Christmas.”
Then she brought up the point that the request came from a parent, not a coach. “I say uphold; it came from a parent,” she decided. “Until it comes from a coach, someone who’s out there putting their time into it, then it may be different.”
“I’ll go with the majority,” said Smith. “My position is coming from having a kid that played and discussing it with my wife.”
“Well if we’re going to get wives involved, then it gets complicated,” said Becker to smiles and laughter.
In the end, the consensus was to uphold it. There will be no practices on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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