Streetsboro Board of Education voted at its July 9 meeting to reinstate junior varsity sports for the upcoming school year.
It is now up to a group of parents, coaches, alumni and supporters of the district’s athletics teams to follow through with their promise to raise funds to cover the cost.
The move is the latest effort to undo controversial cuts that went into effect after voters rejected a 7-mill, five-year property tax in the May 5 primary election. It was Streetsboro’s third consecutive request for new funding.
The district is expected to seek a 5.1-mill renewal levy − with 3.6 mills for current operating expenses and 1.5 mills for permanent improvements − in November.
Rocket Boosters lobby board
After the levy failure, extracurricular activities, including middle school, freshman and junior varsity sports, were eliminated. In addition, the athletic director position will be reduced from full-time to part-time starting with the 2026-2027 school year, and a secretary in the athletic department, who collected fees, also was cut. Athletic pay-to-participate fees increased to $300 per activity. Initially, there was a cap of $600 per student.
At a May Board of Education meeting, parents lobbied the board, asking for the sports programs to be returned.
At a June 11 meeting, the board voted to bring back sports and clubs for middle school students. The $300 pay-to-participate fee was applied for middle school, and a $600 cap per student was removed. Freshman and junior varsity sports were not returned, with board members expressing fears that academics eventually would be cut.
A group called Rocket Boosters formed, and offered in a letter to the board to make a one-year commitment to raise funds to help cover the cost of all sports in the district if the board would reinstate junior varsity athletics. The letter also says coaches would support the part-time athletic director with administrative duties to avoid the need to hire additional staff.
“This request is not being made on behalf of a single sport or team,” the letter stated. “Rather, it represents a collective effort across the entire Streetsboro athletic community. We stand united in our commitment to ensuring that current and future student athletes continue to benefit from the lessons, relationships and opportunities that participation in athletics provides.”
Erin Faulstick of the Rocket Boosters said the group will now put its focus on fundraising efforts for sports and clubs at all levels.
“When there are no junior varsity athletics, there’s no bridge from middle school to high school sports,” Faulstick said in a previous interview with The Record-Courier. She added that without such activities, many group members feared students would leave the district, which would harm the district further.
A post on the Rocket Boosters Facebook page called the decision “a big win” for students and the community.
“The next step is building strong booster support so we can help protect and grow opportunities for students,” the post states. “Parents, families, alumni, local businesses, and community members can all play a part through volunteering, fundraising, sponsorships, and spreading the word.”
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Streetsboro brings back junior varsity sports, now boosters must act
Reporting by Diane Smith, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
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By Diane Smith, Ravenna Record-Courier | USA TODAY Network
