Sometimes small is good.
Sometimes, it puts you at a disadvantage it's almost impossible to overcome.
With that in mind, Sharon Springs Central School is taking another look at switching athletics from the Western Athletic League, where it's the smallest school by far, to the Tri-Valley League, a move Superintendent Pat Green and Athletic Director Tammy Behr believe would allow the Spartans to be more competitive.
The topic will be on the agenda at Monday's school board meeting, 7:30pm in the SSCS library.
Both Mr. Green and Ms. Behr urge anyone with questions, concerns, or ideas about the switch to be there.
While school districts across New York State are all seeing declining enrollment, it's especially noticeable at SSCS, where the typical graduating class size is in the 20s.
Most athletes must play two or three sports just so the school can field teams, Mr. Green said, and because they're playing against larger schools with more modified and JV programs and more athletes-many of whom specialize in just one sport-it's hard to be competitive.
"Competing against more similarly-sized schools would allow us to be more successful," he said.
Also, Mr. Green said, as things stand now, he has safety concerns sending Spa's freshmen out to play against larger, more experienced 17- and 18-year-olds on some of the WAC teams.
SCCS and Northville are the only two "D" schools in the WAC-a size designation; SSCS would still be the smallest school in the TVL, but would be playing against other "D" schools.
"We've relished our role as a small Class D school that competes with pride against larger C schools, but there are some traditional powerhouses in the Tri-Valley League so the competition would still be there," Mr. Green said.
"It would just give us a chance to be more successful."
SSCS looked at switching to the TVL a few years ago, but the support wasn't there from the community, in part, Ms. Behr said, because they'd just come off some successful seasons and Sectional showings.
That hasn't been the case lately; this year's Spartan boys soccer squad fielded just 13 players while some of the schools they played had as many as 22.
"Our students work very, very hard," Ms. Behr said. "They deserve the chance to be successful."
Schools in the TVL East, where SSCS would play, are Cherry Valley-Springfield, Richfield Springs, Milford, Worcester, and Schenevus.
Schools in the TVL West are Franklin, Edmeston, Gilbertsville-Mount Upton, Morris, and Laurens.