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WH SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSES SOCCER

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:30 AM CDT

WHITE HALL — The addition of a soccer team at White Hall High School was the request of a local soccer coach at Tuesday’s White Hall School Board meeting.

Shannon Lane, a Food and Drug Administration chemist from California employed at Jefferson, presented many positive reasons for a school soccer program and board members agreed.

“We know the things we need to do it, we know the start-up costs,” Board President Dr. Raymond Jones said. “We’re not going to put it in next month. We are going to put it in when the time is right.”

Lane proposed an approach to bringing the program to fruition within the next year, though Superintendent Dr. Larry Smith said the cut off date for 2010-2011 Arkansas Athletic Association program applications has passed and there are a number of things that must be addressed before the teams could be started.

Lane and board members agreed a future program should include boys and girls teams.

“There’s nothing for us to move on right now,” Board Vice President Scott Pittillo said. “I think when the facility is ready, when the finances have been addressed, appropriate transportation, coaching within our staff, then they (district administration) bring that to the board.”

Smith said since the 1.4 mill property tax increase passed Sept. 15, the district will be moving forward with a master facilities plan for the high school that includes accommodations for soccer, though it will take time for the project to be completed.

Board members complimented Lane on preparing a thoughtful presentation. She spoke in part about the impact soccer has had on her life and the positive community aspects of having a school team.

“I come from Cali, and things are different here,” Lane said. “There’s not much to do here. So, when they see there’s a high school game, they go because it’s something to do here.”

She cited students’ ability to compete for college scholarships, student bonding and the accountability of having to maintain a C average to participate as being positive results of starting a soccer program.

Lane is heavily involved in White Hall Soccer. The program uses soccer fields at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. For more information, visit www.whitehallsoccer.com.

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