A new sport at Dakota Valley was approved at their meeting Feb. 14. Boys soccer will be added to the list of sports available for students at Dakota Valley beginning next school year – 2022-23. The season will be played in the fall along with girls soccer.
The move was approved after a half-hour discussion on the impact it would make to the current athletic/activities budget, the scheduling for use of the turf field and if there are any fundraising opportunities. Activities Director Bill Clements said that it’ll be a juggling act, but they’d be able to make it work. Board President Steve Kistner asked if there was the option of doing a staggered practice schedule to which Clements said yes. Adding boys soccer would add $11,880 to the overall activities budget; most of that is for travel and coaches’ salaries. The board approved adding boys soccer as a level I sport.
Some discussion was held on e-sports and whether that will become a sanctioned sport. Clements said that the South Dakota High School Activities Association is looking at it, but it will be at least two years out. Clements and IT Director Michael Oberg estimated that it would cost about $35,000 to start the program between the computers, equipment and furniture.
The board approved moving softball from a level II to a level I sport and the season moving from fall to spring for the 2022-23 school year.
Public Comment
Ehren Christensen appeared before the board in support of the boys soccer program.
Travis Thom and Ryan Callaghan with RP Constructors, Inc. and CeC were interested in partnering with the school to help workforce needs by hiring juniors and seniors interested in trade jobs. They stated that their company was more than happy to have students tour facilities or come and discuss what their business entails. The board appreciated them opening up the conversation.
See full story in this week’s Dakota Dunes / North Sioux City Times.