ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610040052
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Superintendent Wayne Harris says he is "philosophically opposed" to football teams for Roanoke's middle schools, although he has ordered a study of public opinion on the issue.
The superintendent said he supports the middle schools' competitive program in sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, track and volleyball, but draws the line at football for students in the sixth and seventh grades.
"I just don't think it's our business to have tackle football in middle schools," Harris told the city's Central PTA Council this week. He did not elaborate.
Jeff Artis, an unsuccessful candidate for the House of Delegates and City Council, is leading a petition drive to get the School Board to provide football and a more competitive sports program in middle schools. He contends that a full-scale athletic program, including football, would reduce the dropout rate, keep some students off drugs and reduce teen pregnancy.
Councilman William White and former Councilman Mac McCadden also have urged the School Board to upgrade the middle school sports program.
Eighth-graders at middle schools can play on freshman football teams at Patrick Henry and William Fleming high schools, but Artis said they are reluctant to do so because they perceive the ninth-graders to be older, stronger and better.
A survey of parents of middle school students two years ago showed that a majority favor the current program, but Harris said he will try to determine whether public opinion has changed on the issue. He has asked Howard Light, director of physical education and athletics, and Janice Barclay, an intern in Harvard University's Urban Superintendent Program, to seek the views of principals, parents, PTA leaders and others on middle school athletics.
Barclay said the school system received eight letters from residents opposing football in middle schools.
Several members of the Central PTA Council said they oppose football in middle schools.
"I think they should take all of the money that would be required for football teams and spend it on sports for girls so they can have more opportunity to participate," one parent said.
The Rev. William Lee, president of William Fleming High PTA, said "Let's give the [middle school students] a chance to be children rather than pressure them all to be athletes."
LENGTH: Short : 49 linesby CNB