Kendall, Holley look to combine wrestling program
Kendall no longer in Urban/Suburban program with Rochester
KENDALL – Kendall and Holley school leaders are working to combine their junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams.
The Holley Board of Education gave its approval during their regular meeting Monday evening, and Kendall Central Superintendent Julie Christensen says Kendall BOE members gave tacit approval during their regular meeting Sept. 14.
Christensen said she expects the board to vote on the combined team during their October meeting. She explained that many districts are no longer offering the sport, and Holley and Kendall forming a combined team will mean that Kendall students who would like to wrestle will have the opportunity.
Combining wrestling teams is one of several ways the two districts are currently sharing services, Christensen said. Other areas include transportation runs for students with disabilities who have placements in other districts, including schools outside Orleans County.
Holley and Kendall are also exploring shared extracurricular clubs such as 4-H and robotics.
“Some could be hosted by Kendall, some by Holley,” she said.
Sharing services is a way of “sharing the wealth” of the two districts, allowing both Holley and Kendall to “expand opportunities” for their students while still maintaining their own district identities, Christensen explained.
• Community Forum planned Oct. 5
Superintendent Christensen says community members are invited to attend a community forum Oct. 5 hosted by the Board of Education at 7 p.m. in the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria.
The Board is seeking input from residents regarding strategies and methods to promote Kendall. Topics such as the importance of broadband Internet will likely be discussed, Christensen said. She explained that suggestions for enhancing the quality of life in Kendall will help both the school district and the community to encourage people to consider making Kendall their home and school.
• Urban/Suburban withdrawal
Superintendent Christensen also explained the Kendall School District was notified in late summer that the 15-mile transportation limit would be upheld and therefore not provide transportation to Kendall for students in the Urban/Suburban Inter-district transfer program.
“We looked to relay options with our neighboring districts, but the drop off and pick up times would result in students missing too much instructional time,” Superintendent Christensen said. Additionally, “A midway pick up posed some safety issues for students,” she said.
Kendall joined the Urban/Suburban program just last year and two students who live in the Rochester City School District participated.
“We really enjoyed our students and wish them well in their new school districts,” Christensen said. “We hope that the transportation issue will be resolved in the future.”
