MPS Middle School parents, Marcy Open School Principal, Edison Volleyball Coaches and concerned and interested parties met with Steve Fisk, Trent Tucker and Dave Wicker Thursday the August 18th. The discussion and dissatisfaction of the change in Middle School sports to only being available in a pathway/area high schools leaving middle school programs, inclusion, morale, movement and enrollment down in middle schools. The leadership explained that this was all a money issue and that budget cuts had to happen and they had little time to react. They also apologize for the notion and fact that these types of decisions and broad changes should not be made in hast and with out public comment but they were. 4500 plus families are affected by this decision and this reasoning seems to be the pattern for the MPS and acceptable now as a way to do business. They went on to explain that they "created an avenue for participation" of area/pathway High schools because they know that Middle School sports is important. They created Soccer, Flag Football and are now adding Track and field. Volleyball, Basketball, Softball and the rest of sports will have to be at the high school. This "feeder" program from the FAQ's of athletic department which is one of the clear motivators of the change is not working. MPS has open enrollment, this change and structure and band aids put on it, contradict it. Parents are not able to be supportive or accommodate transporting their middle school kids during the day for try outs and or practices, therefore they do not participate, Parents who do not intend to have their children attend the "Area/Pathway" school do not want to promote or have their children at that school since it would make most sense to have their children build relationships where they intend to go on to high school. Parents do not want their children in environments that are well beyond their maturity level with high school students that they do not know and compete for spots on teams. The MPS FAQ's say; "They will play on the D or C teams". Many that did not happen for. They said"They will have rides home on buses", That did not happen. and no one wanted or knew who would pay for such a thing. "They will be allowed access to buildings that are secure". That did not happen and coaches had to go get middle school students and monitor them in addition to their regular duties away from current practice with the other students to make sure they were on site. They say that "student athletes will be eligible if they are asked to play on high level teams". The Minnesota State High School league will not allow them eligibility at another high school until sitting out a year if they play varsity. MPS says that "The high School athletic director would simply file a transfer and that student would be eligible". Their were several coaches in the room and no one knew that as an option and the truth is, you have to appeal, it is not guaranteed to be granted. One of the high School coaches in the room stated he hesitated to have girls play that he one; Knew would not be coming to the school for high school and two for fear of playing them would damage their future eligibility. Overall, there no data to say what they started with as far as participation so a claim that enrollment would be up in sports is false when one leader admitted they had no numbers to base it increase claims from. MPS gets $23,000 per year per students attending schools. Adding a barrier to inclusion and a barrier to "value" do not make parents and students want to send their children to MPS. Why does MPS leaders not understand that competition for students is real from Private, charter, alternative and on line systems and they continue to take away more "value" to attending and being educating in this system. With $23,000 per year you can go to one of the top academic schools in the area with sports, inclusion, access by all, a bus, safety and supports. Why can they not get it right? It is clear their are agenda's for certain area high schools to be feed students at the cost of the student. If parents really did research on these schools although things are happening in the right direction for some, they are at unacceptable graduation rates, behavior and more of sometimes graduating only 50%. Board members and leaders are asking parents to support and promote schools that will not prepare students at the levels and with the environment for learning that they need to be to compete in our global society. The petition is going to be passed on to the superintendent with a recommendation by leaders to continue to gather support and that they will review with the next budget for 2017 if their is a "real interest" in middle school sports and the value to students. Please stand together and pass this petition on to all people. Parents with younger children will be impacted by this as well as current middle parents, students should sign and get their friends to sign, grandparents and caregivers are also affected as well as those interested in keeping the open enrollment option to MPS. 2 years ago MPS projected that they would enroll 950 plus students and in reality, the enroll 2. Only 2 individuals. It is clear the numbers are down and this change is one more attempt to force and manipulate families to stay near some of the least desirable high school programs and cuts in budget also. Finally, it was said by MPS leaders that "sometimes you need to take something away to understand it is valued". I am disappointed in that answer but heard that we need to be even more diligent about this and letting our voices be heard. Minneapolis Public School leadership should be listening to parents and stakeholders. We matter and ultimately pay their salaries. Please pass this on to groups at your area schools, parents groups, school blogs and help us work to return some "value" back in to the Minneapolis Public Schools. Contact the new Superintendent at Ed.graff@Mpls.k12.mn.us. E-mail and sign the petition to make your opinion known and the impact and dissatisfaction you have in the change. http://athletics.mpls.k12.mn.us/staff.