West Harrison looking for options for summer programs
By Matt Gengler, Sports Editor
sports@missourivalleytimes.com
West Harrison’s boys and girls of summer will be looking for some new teammates this summer, as the school board is exploring options to share their high school baseball and softball program for this 2024 summer season.
The West Harrison School Board approved pursuing a sharing agreement with Missouri Valley for summer baseball and softball at their March 13th school board meeting. Before the meeting, West Harrison had discussed sharing possibilities with all neighboring schools.
Superintendent Marty Fonley stated, “One of the most important factors for neighboring schools is the impact the combined enrollment would have on the classification of the host school. All neighboring schools (West Monona, Logan-Magnolia, Missouri Valley and Woodbine) expressed interest in exploring sharing at least one sport.”
“The board's determination to pursue an agreement with Missouri Valley was based on proximity to the West Harrison building and the fact that Missouri Valley was open to considering baseball and softball, provided a waiver can be obtained through the IGHSAU to stay in Class 2A for softball. Preliminary indications are that combined enrollment would not change Missouri Valley's current classification of 2A in baseball.”
West Harrison will submit the waiver application for softball pending acceptance of a sharing agreement by the Missouri Valley School Board.
Superintendent Marty Fonley added, “West Harrison didn't finish the softball season last summer due to low numbers. This spring, the district reviewed our enrollment by grade and anticipated participation numbers in grades 8-12. It became clear that sharing was the best option for students to participate this summer. We anticipate between five and eight participants in both baseball and softball under the proposed sharing agreement. We believe West Harrison will have large enough participation numbers to offer baseball and softball independently by 2027.”
Missouri Valley Superintendent Christi Gochenour stated the item is on the agenda for discussion at the April 8 school board meeting, as nothing has been determined at this point.
