Harwood district examines future of middle school athletics
November 21, 2025 | By Lisa ScagliottiThis week, Harwood Unified Union School District administrators hosted a discussion regarding middle school athletics programs with a focus on challenges they are facing and a need for ideas about how the programs will continue in the future.
Harwood Union Middle/High School Principal Megan McDonough said about 30 people attended – parents of elementary and middle school students, as well as some with additional roles as school district staff and coaches. The meeting was not recorded.
Students at Crossett Brook Middle School and Harwood Middle School have options to participate in a variety of sports, including cross country, soccer, basketball, field hockey, baseball, softball, track and field, and gymnastics.
As the school district each year faces tighter budgeting constraints, district leaders are evaluating all aspects of school programming to find potential budget cost savings. Over the past two years, the Harwood district has eliminated 50 staff positions, with more than half cut through resignations and retirements.
The Harwood School Board and administration are now beginning the budget process to draft a proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year that voters will consider on Town Meeting Day in March. School Board members have asked district administrators to present budget scenarios that outline cuts across as many areas as possible to minimize future staffing cuts. That would include spending on athletics programs.
Last spring, the school board’s Finance Committee discussed some ideas regarding middle school athletics that could reduce district costs, such as partnering with community youth recreation organizations. They did not choose to implement any recommendations yet, however.
In the discussion begun at the parent meeting on Nov. 18, McDonough and Athletic Director Ian Fraunfelder outlined the key areas they hope to focus on regarding middle school sports. They generally stem from balancing strong interest among students in participating against increasing costs, dwindling financial resources, limited adults for coaching and referee roles, and transportation constraints.
Following the meeting, Fraunfelder shared a letter on Thursday with district families outlining these issues and sharing a link to an online survey form to gather input from the community.
“We believe deeply in the role athletics play in adolescent growth and development, and we remain committed to providing programs that are accessible to every student who wishes to participate,” the letter notes.
School officials say they plan to hold more meetings in the future to share the feedback they receive and to continue the discussion.
Below is the message to families in full.
Dear HUUSD Community,
Thank you to all who joined us earlier this week for our first district-wide conversation about the future of HUUSD Middle School athletics. We were grateful to welcome community members from across our towns—including representation from rising and current Middle School families from both Crossett Brook and Harwood Middle Schools.
Harwood Union has a proud tradition of athletic excellence and community connection—values that continue to guide us. As we look ahead, we are intentionally creating space for open, thoughtful dialogue so we can navigate this shared challenge together. Our discussions are grounded in the following shared goals for Middle School athletics:
ensuring safe, inclusive, and meaningful participation for all interested students
maintaining high-quality coaching and supervision
upholding equity across programs and schools
providing consistent, sustainable programming that uses resources responsibly
strengthening HUUSD athletic traditions and community pride
We believe deeply in the role athletics play in adolescent growth and development, and we remain committed to providing programs that are accessible to every student who wishes to participate.
At the same time, increasing participation has highlighted several challenges we must face collectively:
We know that not all community members were able to attend our initial gathering, and we want to ensure that every voice is heard. We deeply value everyone’s perspectives—whether you have reflections on your child’s Middle School experience or hopes for their future—we invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions through this survey, regardless of your child’s current age.
In the coming weeks, we will bring together all the feedback collected so far and continue to host opportunities for collaborative problem-solving. Your insights are essential as we work to design solutions that reflect our shared values and meet the needs of our students.
Our goal is simple and collective: to build and sustain an athletic program where every student feels they belong, every family feels welcomed, and our entire community can take pride in what we create together.
Thank you for your partnership and your willingness to engage in this important work.
Ian Fraunfelder, Harwood/Crossett Brook athletic director