The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) committee approved a proposed cooperative agreement Monday night that will allow swimmers from the Martha’s Vineyard Charter School to participate and compete with the high school swim team.
“This was a way of helping boost numbers on the swim team,” MVRHS athletic director Mark McCarthy said.
Last year’s returning athletes include six boys and five girls, which is not enough to support a full team, he said. The charter school can provide two additional boys and, potentially, one girl. That’s enough to form more relay teams, and allow the swimmers to compete in multiple events, MVRHS swim coach Jonathan Chatinover said.
“Having an extra one or two kids makes a huge difference,” Mr. Chatinover said. “We’ve got some good swimmers, and with more numbers it will make the team more competitive, which I think will make it a better experience for everybody.”
The Charter School athletic director and principal must attend a rules meeting to get the school recognized as an MIAA member, and then Mr. McCarthy will complete the application. Pending state approval, the cooperative agreement will be effective for two years.
Committee members Janet Packer and Robert Lionette expressed concern over what will happen to the charter school athletes after the two years are up, if at that point the high school team has enough swimmers.
Mr. Chatinover expressed doubt that that would occur, but said he would be clear with his team that it is a two-year agreement.
The committee approved the cooperative agreement. Only Mr. Lionette opposed.