ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 1996 TAG: 9612090039
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Some students and parents want football teams at Roanoke's middle schools, but a majority of the Parent-Teacher Associations at city schools don't.
Fewer than one-third of the PTA units favor middle school football, according to a recent survey.
The boards of directors for the PTAs at all 29 schools in the city were asked whether they thought the existing sports program in middle schools was acceptable - and whether additional sports should be included.
Several PTAs said they favored football and a more competitive program because they thought it would provide more opportunities for students with athletic ability.
Some said they thought the separate sandlot football program should be strengthened so more youngsters could compete.
But most PTAs agreed with Superintendent Wayne Harris that middle schools don't need football teams. Some said they were concerned about the high cost of fielding football teams, in addition to the potential for injuries.
Others saw it as a gender issue. If the schools are going to spend a lot of money for football teams for boys, they should provide more sports for girls, one PTA leader said.
The survey results were reported to the Central PTA Council this week.
Ruth Willson, president of the council, said Friday she thinks many parents are interested in a sports program that puts more emphasis on participation than competition.
She said she also was struck by the concern for gender equity.
Harris is reviewing middle school sports because of a petition drive by Jeff Artis to get the School Board to provide football and a more competitive program.
Councilman William White and former Councilman Mac McCadden also have urged the School Board to upgrade the middle school athletic program.
Artis, an unsuccessful candidate for the House of Delegates and City Council, contends that a full-scale athletic program, including football, would reduce the dropout rate, help keep students off drugs and reduce teen pregnancy.
Linda Bunker, an education professor at the University of Virginia, said studies show sports do help to keep students out of trouble and reduce the dropout rate. But middle school athletics don't have to be modeled after high school and college programs to attract students' interest, she said.
Eighth-graders at Roanoke's 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 ninth-graders to be older, stronger and better players.
Harris has asked Howard Light, director of physical education and athletics for Roanoke schools, and Janice Barclay, an intern in Harvard University's Urban Superintendent Program, to seek the view of principals, parents, PTA leaders and others on middle school athletics.
Artis also met recently with Light and Barclay, but he said he is not encouraged about the possibility of changes in the sports program.
Harris said he expects school officials to finish their study by early next year.
Roanoke's middle schools have teams in basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling. The city schools compete against each other, but not with schools in other localities.
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