Wednesday night’s workshop for the Trigg County Board of Education brought to attention a number of concerns and action plans for the district, particularly in school safety, facilities management, salary scales, graduation and Kentucky Summative Assessments.
The top of the hour, however, belonged to Wildcats Athletic Director Doug Gloyd, who brought gentle urgency regarding the potential for Title IX issues in high school sports.
Signed into federal law in 1972, the fair and equal legislation has paved the way for access to education and athletics for girls and young women — who, in Cadiz and so many other places, have taken advantage of new opportunities not permissible in previous generations.
However, Gloyd informed board members that last year’s Title IX report for the district was “a little below” for needed participation numbers, and back in the summer, officials with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association sent an email — asking for the issue to “be addressed.”
Under recommendations from the state, Gloyd said he held a meeting of interest to explore a high school girls tennis team, and 13 potential players attended.
The problem? Trigg Countians — students and families, alike — don’t have anywhere to play consistently. Cadiz, nor the Trigg County Recreation Complex, have courts. Gloyd noted that Lake Barkley State Resort Park’s two courts are now constantly filled with pickleballers, and that two nets weren’t enough to support 13 individuals for timely practices and meets.
The next closest facilities — Hopkinsville, Eddyville, Princeton and Kenlake State Resort Park — are already well spoken for, and places like Murray and Madisonville are too far, and too expensive, for team travel.
Of the 13 possible players, Gloyd said half were seniors.
So what are the solutions? He noted he had several ideas, but all of them cost the district money — with tennis courts likely being the most expensive ask.
Other options include:
— The creation of a middle school volleyball program, one that could feed into the Lady Wildcats.
— The improved recruitment of young women for middle and high school golf, cross country and track & field, all of which, Gloyd said, are lacking in numbers for a wide variety of reasons.
— A school-implemented 3-on-3 elementary girls basketball program, complete with portable goals and coaches.
— And both an elementary and middle school girls “running club.”
Furthermore, Gloyd said it was time for Trigg County Schools to start considering branding opportunities for its facilities — creating financial partnerships with local businesses and proprietors who might be keen on promoting not only themselves, but the youth of the community.
Chief Financial Officer Holly Greene said she and Gloyd would sit down and price all of his asks, and create an “a la carte” list for the board to review and potentially approve at a later date.
Editor’s Note: More analysis from Wednesday’s meeting will come at a later date.
