Principals considering cooperative

ROCKLAND – The Maine Principals Association is considering a proposal that would allow schools to field “cooperative” athletic teams with players from other schools.

Under the proposal, a football player from a high school with no football program would be allowed to join a neighboring district’s team, for example.

The proposal originated with Rockland District High School Principal Michael L. Gundel. In a letter sent to every high school principal in the state last month, Gundel said the concept would provide more sports opportunities for students at small schools.

Gundel said he supports a plan under which cooperative teams play each other for a cooperative team title, rather than disrupting existing divisions. He said cooperative teams can be found in other states.

“The concept is new to Maine, but it is not new,” he said.

Gundel was also honest about expected opposition.

“Because this proposal comes from a region with few schools offering football, many observe that this is nothing more than a guise to help our own local program,” he said. Rockland, which used to field a Class A football team and had 750 students, now competes in Class C football and has 450 students. It is surrounded by three schools with no football program.

But Gundel said Tuesday that his proposal is based on betterimproving his school’s team.

“To field athletic teams and give students activities that they’re interested in is getting more and more difficult for smaller schools,” he said. “It’s really to help smaller schools to participate in some sports that are difficult to finance and difficult to field.”

The concept is being studied by a principals association committee, which is expected to report its findings at a November conference.