Suburban Philly school system may add middle school lax
Nov 22, 2003

Middle-school boys lacrosse programs moved another step closer to realization Monday night when the Tredyffrin-Easttown Board of School Directors heard a presentation by the assistant principals from the district's two middle schools.

Ed Kershner from Valley Forge Middle School, along with T/E Middle School's Bill Dougherty, presented the board with a cost analysis for fielding two teams of 24 to 26 boys at each of the schools.

As per the instructions of district solicitor Kevin Roos, the men based their presentation on either 100 percent funding by the school district or on students supplying their own helmets and shoulder pads. The latter plan would not only cut costs but would also relieve the district of yearly costs for recertifying protective gear.

Should the board choose to completely fund the program, the startup cost would be $54,241.50 for game shirts and shorts and 120 helmets, gloves and pads as well as game equipment, coaches' salaries, transportation and officials' fees. Saying that replacement costs were figured into the four-year projection, Kershner reported an amount of $155,490.56 to field the four teams for four years.

With the players providing their own helmets and shoulder pads, the startup cost would be $31,073.50. This figure includes providing equipment for financially disadvantaged players who could not participate without district support. Over four years, the figure, including replacement costs, is expected to be $108,887.21.

Kershner told the board that a survey of students at the two middle schools shows that "we have enough interest to sustain 7th- and 8th-grade teams at both schools."
The board will add funding into the next school budget as an "administrative recommendation." Should the funding be approved, Kershner said that the Continental League has already incorporated T-EMS and VFMS teams into its 2005 schedule. The schools would play 10 league games plus two against opponents from area private schools. The Continental League comprises 10 schools from seven districts.