Students urge Hillsboro board to keep middle-school sports in next year’s budget

Several middle-school students told the Hillsboro Township Board of Education on May 13 that middle-school sports should remain in next year’s budget, describing athletics as key to teamwork, physical activity and school belonging.

Seventh-grader Kate Rling opened the first public-comment period saying middle-school sports taught life skills and helped students build friendships across grades. Other students, including Keny Rard, Ava Thomas and Carly Marcero, echoed that message and said losing seven middle-school sports would remove opportunities for many students to participate.

Board members thanked the students for articulate testimony. Separately, the board noted recent state-legislative movement that could return some state aid this year; members said any restoration of funds would change budget trade-offs and that budget presentations would continue as the district monitors state action.

No formal budget vote occurred at the meeting. Board members and administration said planned budget work and potential state aid changes would inform final decisions before the district adopts next year’s budget.