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Midd-West is ready for its own football program

To the editor:

On Monday night, I attended the Midd-West School Board meeting in order to listen to the discussion about a possible football co-op with Mifflinburg. The school board from Mifflinburg engaged in discussion with the Midd-West Board members about what such a co-op would be like. Later in the meeting, after the newspaper reporters had left, the public was invited to comment, and I would like to share the highlights from those comments. Everyone who spoke believes that it is time for Midd-West to commit to their own football team. While a co-op helps to meet an immediate need for some students, it does not invest in our own community and our own students for the future. Having a Midd-West team would provide opportunities for football players, band members, and cheerleaders that are currently lacking. It would stimulate school pride and increase community involvement. It would keep our money in our district rather than sending it off to another.

The cost of starting our own program has been the biggest stumbling block to this process. However, the funds for the first year are already basically in place! The Midd-West Youth football program has offered a donation of $20,000 to start the team. Area businesses have pledged an additional $20,000. The school district itself is already contributing more than $20,000 to the current co-op, which means that there is at least $60,000 available for the first year costs. The Juniata County school board has voted to sell the used EJ equipment to Midd-West for a reasonable cost, and funds are already set aside to make that purchase. We are in the best position we’ve ever been in to start our own team, and it would be a shame to let that opportunity pass us by through forming a co-op with Mifflinburg instead.

The current Booster club and the Youth football program are committed to additional fundraising endeavors to help support a Midd-West team. Concession stand sales and tickets sales will be added revenue that won’t be realized if we form a co-op with Mifflinburg. I am encouraging the Midd-West School Board to approve a football program of our own. Our students deserve to play as Mustangs, march as Mustangs, and cheer as Mustangs. I am also asking any Midd-West community members to communicate their support to our board members as well. All of their emails can be accessed at www.mwsd.cc under the “School Board” tab. Please show the board that we value and support our kids and our community.

Daniel Bishop

McClure

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