MONROE - Who will pay and who will play remain the two biggest questions as the Monroe school board considers a proposal for Monroe High School to become the lead school in an area WIAA boys hockey co-op.
Rob Hodgson, the treasurer of the Forum Monroe Youth Hockey Association, met with the board Monday to discuss several questions administrators have about a proposal to create the program as soon as the 2012-13 season.
Two of the biggest concerns district leaders have about a hockey co-op are whether it can remain self-sustaining and ensuring that there are equal opportunities for students to play, including those with financial needs.
Hodgson said the hockey program will be fully funded by Forum Monroe Youth Hockey Association, Inc.
The hockey association is projecting $35,848 in expenses and $19,846 in income. The hockey association has pledged to raise $10,000 for the first year of the program. It also would have a $992 player fee to help cover expenses. The player fee for this year is $1,000.
Time is a concern for proponents of the plan.
"The timeline is very tight if we want to get multiple teams involved," Hodgson said.
The school board would have to approve a hockey co-op and the WIAA would have to approve the plan by April 1 in order for Monroe to start a high school team for 2012-13.
The board is expected to consider approving a preliminary plan for a co-op in December, contingent on an agreement being approved by the district's legal counsel.
Monroe Superintendent Larry Brown said that he supports the hockey co-op, but he reminded board members about other self-sustaining programs that are no longer offered, including a community group's fundraising efforts to keep another band instructor.
"Self-funded athletic programs have concerns about continuing to remain self-funded," Brown said. "We have to go in with our eyes open that things don't last forever."
The hockey association has explored co-op options with Albany, Brodhead, Darlington, New Glarus, Belleville and Lena-Winslow.
"We don't have enough kids in high school in Monroe to support a full high school team," Hodgson said.
Some district leaders questioned player fees and how that would apply with some students in financial need and receiving assistance through free and reduced lunch programs.
For players who can't pay the fee to play hockey, Hodgson said, fundraisers are available through MYHA.
Brown said the district can't support something, even if it's not financial, if not every student can be included.
"We can't exclude any student because they can't afford it," he said.
Hodgson said he hopes the Badger Conference would be open to expanding and adding another team. If not, he said the Monroe co-op could play an independent schedule for the first year.
Monroe High School would work with the WIAA to get a co-op approved, take the lead in scheduling games, hiring coaches and officials.
The MYHA would supply the facility, SLICE, set the fees and provide volunteers for the games.
Rob Hodgson, the treasurer of the Forum Monroe Youth Hockey Association, met with the board Monday to discuss several questions administrators have about a proposal to create the program as soon as the 2012-13 season.
Two of the biggest concerns district leaders have about a hockey co-op are whether it can remain self-sustaining and ensuring that there are equal opportunities for students to play, including those with financial needs.
Hodgson said the hockey program will be fully funded by Forum Monroe Youth Hockey Association, Inc.
The hockey association is projecting $35,848 in expenses and $19,846 in income. The hockey association has pledged to raise $10,000 for the first year of the program. It also would have a $992 player fee to help cover expenses. The player fee for this year is $1,000.
Time is a concern for proponents of the plan.
"The timeline is very tight if we want to get multiple teams involved," Hodgson said.
The school board would have to approve a hockey co-op and the WIAA would have to approve the plan by April 1 in order for Monroe to start a high school team for 2012-13.
The board is expected to consider approving a preliminary plan for a co-op in December, contingent on an agreement being approved by the district's legal counsel.
Monroe Superintendent Larry Brown said that he supports the hockey co-op, but he reminded board members about other self-sustaining programs that are no longer offered, including a community group's fundraising efforts to keep another band instructor.
"Self-funded athletic programs have concerns about continuing to remain self-funded," Brown said. "We have to go in with our eyes open that things don't last forever."
The hockey association has explored co-op options with Albany, Brodhead, Darlington, New Glarus, Belleville and Lena-Winslow.
"We don't have enough kids in high school in Monroe to support a full high school team," Hodgson said.
Some district leaders questioned player fees and how that would apply with some students in financial need and receiving assistance through free and reduced lunch programs.
For players who can't pay the fee to play hockey, Hodgson said, fundraisers are available through MYHA.
Brown said the district can't support something, even if it's not financial, if not every student can be included.
"We can't exclude any student because they can't afford it," he said.
Hodgson said he hopes the Badger Conference would be open to expanding and adding another team. If not, he said the Monroe co-op could play an independent schedule for the first year.
Monroe High School would work with the WIAA to get a co-op approved, take the lead in scheduling games, hiring coaches and officials.
The MYHA would supply the facility, SLICE, set the fees and provide volunteers for the games.