School board considers sanctioning varsity bowling

A request to sanction girls? and boys? varsity bowling teams at Fairfield High School for the upcoming winter sports season was tabled Monday night by the Fairfield Community School District Board of Directors.

The board opted to get more information and make a final decision at the Sept. 8 board meeting after hearing Lisa Greenig?s presentation to elevate bowling from club status to varsity competition.

The board?s concern focused on budgeting funds for varsity bowling when the district is struggling with its finances.

?We?ve riffed teachers this year,? said board member Jeri Kunkle. ?I?m not sure if we can substantiate this when we?re trying to cut costs.?

Activities Director Bret Moews assured the board he would still be able to schedule Fairfield in 2009-10 meets and tournaments with a September decision. Other southeast Iowa schools participating in bowling include Keokuk, Fort Madison, Washington, Louisa-Muscatine, Keota and Ottumwa.

?The first year, the [Trojans] booster club has committed to helping with most of the expenses and the only financial liability [to the district] would be transportation,? said Moews. ?And longer term it would be just transportation and salaries.?

Greenig, who recently coached the team that has been as a club sport since 2004, said the bowlers would supply their own equipment and Flamingo Lanes would offer free time on their lanes.

For the full story, read the Aug. 11, 2009, printed edition of The Ledger.