What will happen to the Heritage Conference?

[costanza]

everything in your post looks good, tubby, except i wouldnt mind sitting on bleachers on the other side of weller field. real stadiums or fields have bleachers on both sides. and i heard about the finger thing, that was funny. the rams nickname, that is supposed to ease hard feelings all the way around (sarcasm). this really must be a board and administration that thinks the northern end are all dumbasses. they just don't get it.

[tubmill]

Costanza,
I agree, Weller field always needed visitor's bleachers. The people in Ligonier have never got it right. The Carey building never had an auditorim until a Laurel Valley dominated board approved it. The Marker building, where our young kids will make the long trip to go to Middle school has no auditorium, the cafeteria is also used as a wrestling room, has no air conditioning and is the oldest building in the district...go figure. This right wing, Republican dominated board are all money people or wishing they were. I hope that I havn't offended anyone, but it's true! I would have no problem with consolidation if it were fair! At least call the new school ...the LAUREL VALLEY RAMS! Give me a break..they got everything else they wanted. No tax increase and by golly the education has improved..a French 4 cllass..lmao. Oh by the way, only one board member has kids in the system...guess who...Skip Sansing! Hey, Ferndale, please take Oldham (Sharon Osborne) back! Also, Tantlinger and Maier, move to Ligonier, you will feel more at home!

[dragonfootball2001]

I've heard some talk that Northern Bedford and Tussey Mountain may combine. Is there any truth to this? Given the small size of both schools and the relative lack of funding from property taxes in both areas, I feel this could be a great move for both districts. Also, this combination could produce some incredibly competitive A or AA teams, especially in football, basketball, and baseball.

[TBone]

Jointures and school closings are always very tramatic. Many years ago when Kiski Area was formed, I heard the same type of things then as are being stated by the people of Laurel Valley and Ligonier today. The similar schools were Bell Avon (small) and Vandergrift (the big brother). There was the same bitterness from the people from Avonmore, Salina, Bell Township etc. But you know what. Everything worked out. It is amazing, but the kids are the first to adjust to the change. It takes the parents much, much longer. The same can be said for the Elderton closing. Did you see how many kids from Elderton applied to stay with the school that they attended in 08-09? When we joined, we (I was a Junior) got to choose the mascot, school colors, etc. I can't remember who picked out the name Kiski Area but it was neutral also. I'll have to admit that at first I was a little intimidated but ended up loving the bigger setting. There was more oportunity, the sports were definitely more competitive and it was overall a great school. Will the same thing happen at Ligonier? I don't know. But, once the fight is over for the folks at Laurel Valley(and good luck to you), let the kids alone and they will make it work.

[tubmill]

tbone,
I have no doubt that the kids will do fine. Howewver, our situation is different. Our district is 224 square miles large. There is nothing neutral about what they are doing. Is consolidation needed? Yes. Just make it fair and equitable.

[tubmill]

There was an interesting article recently in the Greensburg Tribune Review concerning lengthy bus trips to school. It listed some of the largest school districts area wise in western Pa. The two largest listed in the article were Connlesville and Uniontown. They both came in under the 224 square miles which emcompasses the LVSD. Purchase Line and Marion Center were on the list coming in at half the size of LVSD.
Here is the link... http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 2511.html]. I am going to be really interested in seeing what our bus provider comes up with in riding times considering how large our district is. I don't know if this is already affecting student participation in extracurricular activities already. Recently the cheering squad was chosen for the Ligonier Valley Middle School Rams. 22 girls made the squad with two coming from Laurel Valley. For what ever reason only 7 students from LV tried out for the squad. I am hearing that the same thing might be happening for other activities including football. What a shame! In addition the new coaches for the supposedly neutral school are the old Ligonier coaches with the exception of the volleyball coach who is from LV! The only decent coach from Ligonier is Mark Zimmerman and he is excellent! My son's were fortunate to play football for the venerable Coach Page, with my youngest son being the quarterback in two of the last three seasons of Coach Pages tenure! The new coach of the Ligonier Valley Rams could not hold Coach Page's j-strap! Now having got that off my chest, I hope that the Ligonier schoolboard and future booster groups do whatever they have to do to enable Laurel Valley students the chance to participate! Also, LV parents and students...don't cut off your nose to spite your face. You only get the chance of these years once!

[cleaverstuart]

The Ligonier Valley School Board announce that they have sent a letter to the Laurel Highlands Conference at last nights school board meeting. Laurel Highlands membership would be the best fit for the "new" Ligonier Valley from a number and travel stand piont

[tubmill]

Will they be accepted without a partner? Again what will happen to the Heritage with two teams gone?

[djs11]

The Heritage Conference has an ad on the district 6 website looking for new teams. They need to dispand all conferences and play by class.

[reugenev]

I believe Chestnut Ridge is looking for a partner to enter the Laurel Highlands! Both schools were former members! This would allow the LHAC to split into two divisions, big school/small school! Also, rumor has it that the Heritage sent out 8 letters to schools to gauge their interest in joining! Anyone know who the supposed 8 schools were?