New Henry County Cheer/Band policy for spirit groups

[channelmaster23]

I just got back from a cheer meeting at our school in Henry county. I am still reeling from the information that we were told.

We already knew that buses for out of county events were not going to be provided to Cheerleaders and Band memembers. We understand the budget problems.

We thought we had a solution when our football coach stepped up and said our cheer team could ride on the football buses.

Well in the administrative service meeting at the Henry County Board of Education it was decided that:

"Cheerleaders/Band cannot go out of county - period."

Cheerleaders and other support groups can only attend out-of-county games as spectators, not participants.

This is just plain crap!

So when our team travels to Thomaston to play Upson-Lee don't look for the band in the stands or the Cheerleaders on the sidelines. Same for when we play Alcovy.

This is just plain unfair to our teams/band, our fans and especially our Seniors.

I've supported athletics in Henry county both home and away for 6 years and paid a lot of money in cheer assessments, and athletic participation fees and this is what I get in return.

I have a good mind to ask for half of my money back!

Is it me or is this just plain insane. I really would like to hear from all the cheer parents on this one, especially the one from Henry County, if there are any here.

CM23

[GotSpirit.TV]

How does this apply for competitions? Can the band and the competitive squad still travel out of the county for those things? Is this rule only for spirit related teams? Not that it makes it any better or worse but I'm just curious how broad the ruling is.

It would seem to me that there HAVE to be better ways to approach budget problems than affecting the programs in this manner. 

What they don't realize is the impact this will have on the students involved in those activities. It will be devastating for them. Particularly if a team does very well and makes it to the Region or State finals. It will rob some of these kids of a well-earned, one-of-a-kind, experience.

Do you have any contact information for the Henry County Schoolboard?

[channelmaster23]

Sorry for the tardy response, but here is some answers to your questions.

It will not affect the competition squads. They will still be provided bus for their events. This is only for out of county spirit squads and school bands.

I haven't done the numbers for basketball, but in football it affects the cheer squads and band members of 9 schools and 25 total regular season football games.

Our AD told me that if the school makes the playoffs then a consession may be made for bands and cheer squads to attend. I want to believe him, but I have no faith in our administration to honor that pledge.

Someone else pointed out that this may be a title IX violation. That is a really grey area and although there are points to be made I don't know if it would stand as a title IX offense.

Another point was if our tax monies can take the football teams then why not our cheer and bands?

As for a POC at the Henry County BOE that would be Dr. Ethan Hildreth the assistant superintendent in charge of administrative services(770)957-6601. Or Ethan.Hildreth@henry.k12.ga.us

I agree with you. There has got to be a better way.


CM23