Girls flag football added to school district’s sports program

Girls flag football took the last step Thursday to becoming a varsity sport at eligible Clark County School District high schools.

The Clark County School Board unanimously approved the $225,080 expense for the winter season.

The district has 49 high schools. Twelve lack athletic programs because of their nontraditional formats, such as being career and technical academies, meaning 37 schools will have teams.

Coaches' salaries, totaling $116,180, will account for half the cost of starting the state's first varsity flag football program.

Each school will receive funding for one varsity head coach, who will earn $2,740 in base salary with a $400 stipend.

Uniforms and equipment will be purchased for 15 players per team, costing the district a total of $61,050. Transportation costs will be $29,700 for Clark County teams to play each other in 150 regular season games and 15 postseason games.

The final expense is for officials, provided by the Southern Nevada Officials Association, and crew members. Two referees will officiate each game with the help of two crew members, costing $18,150 for the season.

The district is taking on the extra expense because it is trying to satisfy a 2010 complaint from the National Women's Law Center in Washington, D.C., Superintendent Dwight Jones said.

The center alleged that the district violated Title IX, a 1972 federal law mandating equal opportunities for men and women in education and athletics.

The gap between the number of male and female athletes in the district should be no more than 5 percent, Executive Athletic Director Ray Mathis said.

The district has about 10 percent to 12 percent more male athletes, he said.

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.