Dear GJSD community,
I would like to keep you informed on the next steps for the Greater Johnstown School District’s athletic membership transition from the Foothills Council to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and our District’s associated interest for our athletic programs that do not compete in the WAC — girls and boys lacrosse, and field hockey.
On September 14, the District announced that it had been accepted into the WAC for the 2024-25 school year. The GJSD Board of Education endorsed that membership at its regular business meeting on October 12.
It was also announced that the District would be working closely with the head coaches of the lacrosse (both girls and boys) and field hockey teams to find alternative plans for competitive play next year, since the WAC does not host either of those sports. Options for these two programs included applying for associate membership in preferred leagues for those particular sports, or building an independent schedule.
Over the last month, we have had productive conversations with Coaches Berju (lacrosse) and Krempa (field hockey) for a clear understanding of their preferences for the 2024-25 athletic season. Competitive play preferences include:
Boys Lacrosse:
1 – Associate membership in the Foothills
2 – Associate membership Wasaren/Colonial League (combined leagues)
3 – Independent schedule
Girls Lacrosse:
1 – Associate membership in the Foothills
2 – Associate membership Colonial Council
3 – Independent schedule
Field Hockey:
1 – Associate membership in the Foothills
2 – Associate membership in the Suburban (which has already been declined)
3 – Independent schedule
The District has submitted a written request to each of the programs’ preferences. We have been informed that members of the Foothills will vote on associate membership for each of the three sports at their next meeting, and that members of the Wasaren will vote on boys lacrosse at their next meeting.
The outcomes of the District’s requests will first be communicated out to coaching staff and employees, and then out to the general public, once we are informed of each league’s decisions.
I would like to remind you that the public is invited to attend and observe the District’s Shared Decision Making Committee (SDM) meeting next Wednesday, Oct. 25 (3:30 p.m. in the District Office conference room at JHS).
At that meeting, updates will be given from the three SDM ad hoc committees that were formed last year (athletics, transportation, and building reconfiguration), and the work of a newly formed ad hoc committee devoted to the District’s Code of Conduct Policy and Student Handbook will be detailed.
Sincerely,
Dr. William Crankshaw
Superintendent of Schools