MFL MarMac creating trap shooting program
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
The MFL MarMac School Board approved starting a trap shooting program for high school students at its March 14 meeting.
High School Principal David Ross, who will coach the team with teacher Joe Milewsky and Jim Ruff, said at least 15 students—both boys and girls—have shown interest. He estimated costs to run at $155 per student, with ammunition being the biggest cost factor.
Ross said all students will be required to have taken a hunters safety course. The same rules will apply as other school activities.
There was some discussion as to whether students should be required to purchase shells, or whether the school would provide them.
“I don’t like the idea of them having to pay for ammo,” said board member Josh Grau. “You should treat it like any other sport.”
Brian Meyer agreed, suggesting the school pays for the shells this year and puts the responsibility on the students to fundraise in order to buy shells down the road, an idea favored by the rest of the board.
Ross said participants will begin practice in April. They will practice in Waukon on Wednesday evenings. Six practice sessions must be completed in order to participate in the state competition in May, he said.
Gym space
Members of the basketball club went before the board, expressing concerns over a lack of gym practice space for youth teams.
With nine youth traveling teams for basketball this year, the highest number ever, some teams were forced to practice at the rec center in Luana and even in the cafeteria at the Monona Center.
In order for MFL MarMac to stay competitive and to meet the high level of interest among kids, members wondered if a committee could be formed to look into building a new gym or sports practice facility that could be used by a variety of sports participants.
“We’re in the process of investigating options,” stated board president Gina Roys, noting that looking at gym space is on the district’s strategic plan, developed by the SIAC committee.
Superintendent Dale Crozier favored the idea of starting a facilities sub-committee to further study options. The more stakeholders that can be brought into the equation, and the more people a new facility could benefit, the better, he said.
