It is not a done deal, but talks have started to possibly set up an agreement between Sparta and Steeleville schools to have a cooperative high school football team.
The subject was on the agenda at the Sparta school board meeting Monday night because it would require a formal intergovernmental agreement between the two districts.
Sparta Superintendent Larry Beattie said some Steeleville children are taking part in Sparta’s new little league football program and some of their parents have asked about the chance of Steeleville playing on Sparta’s football team.
“The board needs to discuss this,” said Beattie. “If Steeleville agrees, we would both sign an intergovernmental agreement.”
But Beattie noted that it would not end there. The school’s athletic conference would also have to agree, but conferences have agreed in the past to co-ops.
Sparta plays in the Southern Illinois River to River Mississippi Division, while Steeleville, which currently does not have a football team, is in the Cahokia Conference.
Marissa and Coulterville have a cooperative sports agreement. Trico and Elverado play football together in the Black Diamond.
The new Sparta football coach Edmund Jones was at the meeting Monday night. He said the matter was brought to his attention through the Little Dawgs football program, and he took it to Beattie’s attention.
Jones said he had also spoke to Steeleville Superintendent Stephanie Mulholland and he said she was excited about the possibilities to give Steeleville kids the opportunity to play.
“We should give them (Steeleville) an opportunity that would also let us put the best product on the field,” said Jones. “We are one of the smallest 3A schools in the conference. This is the time to move.”
It was pointed out that football would be the only sport involved in any cooperative, and transportation would have to be worked  out as part of the intergovernmental agreement.
The board took no action on any cooperative.
Board member Don Outten said he thought it was an excellent opportunity for Sparta to demonstrate to other schools that they have things to benefit the kids and that Sparta would like to share that with Steeleville.
“And it won’t hurt our program,” said Outten. “If you check the last three years, it might help us a little.”
Sparta’s football record has been dismal recently with no wins over the past three years.
The Steeleville school board met Tuesday night but did not discuss the possibility of the co-op.
However, in the past, polls given out to students about which sports they would like to see at Steeleville, football has always been a popular choice.
“Everything is still very preliminary right now,” said Steeleville High School principal Jennifer Hagel. “There have been talks but the district hasn’t been formally approached by Sparta. After it is approved by Sparta to seek the co-op, then our board has to be formally approached about it.”