July 5, 2023
ISSUE 27
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Eatonville Middle School has new direction for athletics
A new league and new programs highlight upcoming changes
By Glenn Minnis The Center Square
By Skip Smith
Contributing Writer
Eatonville Middle School is undergoing exciting changes as it prepares to join a new league and expand its athletic offerings. The decision to make these significant alterations was driven by two primary factors: increasing concerns within the current league and a desire to strengthen the dedication to middle school athletics within the school district. With this strategic move, EMS aims to provide enhanced opportunities for student-athletes and join a middle school athletic league that provides much for the community’s competitive spirit. The transformation was set in motion when two schools, Keithley Middle School and Ford Middle School, announced their departure from the Seamount League. This departure would have resulted in a substantially smaller league, making it less competitive and engaging for EMS. Furthermore, three additional schools — Yelm, Ridgeline, and Pioneer — also sought alternative possibilities. Although EMS explored the option of joining forces with these schools, it ultimately proved unfeasible due to numerous challenges. The decision to pursue a change allowed EMS to break away from the Seamount League and avoid potentially being one of only four remaining teams. Unfortunately, the other three schools that initially sought new leagues were unable to secure a change, as well, and will remain in the Seamount League. I-5 TO RURAL By joining the Plateau Middle School League, EMS is now shifting its geographic focus away from “I-5 schools” to rural schools like Sumner, Bonney Lake, Enumclaw, and Orting.
Washingtonians overwhelmingly support lower gas taxes, survey says
Courtesy Eatonville School District Eatonville Middle School has a new direction for athletics. The school will join a new league. The Plateau Middle School League currently comprises the following schools: • Columbia/Surprise Lake Middle School: 875 students (Fife School District; junior high and middle school split) • Orting: 660 (Orting) • Glacier: 970 (White River) • Lakeridge: 723 (SumnerBonney Lake) • Mountain View: 865 (SumnerBonney Lake) • Sumner: 704 (Sumner-Bonney Lake) • Thunder Mountain: 493 (Enumclaw) • Enumclaw: 489 (Enumclaw) • Keithley: 824 (Franklin Pierce; current SMSL) • Ford: 966 (Franklin Pierce; current SMSL) • Eatonville: 425 (Eatonville; current SMSL) The league change also prompted EMS to introduce boys soccer and baseball to its athletic program. The new league plays some of their sports in different seasons, as well. Football and cross country will now be in the spring, while baseball and track will be played in the fall. That decision by Plateau League
teams was fueled by the increasing scarcity of officials in some sports, which has posed a significant challenge for schools across Washington. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) have reported that the ratio of officials to athletes in Washington is at its lowest point on record. This shortage significantly affects various sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling. SHORTAGE OF OFFICIALS EMS encountered the impact of the officials’ shortage firsthand when the end-of-season wrestling tournament, hosted by Eatonville, had to be canceled with only two days’ notice due to a lack of qualified referees. The middle school was able to salvage a tournament, although very much reduced in attendance by Seamount League schools. Although the addition of boys’ soccer and baseball at EMS does not directly address the issues faced in wrestling, their season EMS Page 7Æ
Nearly three out of four residents favor lowering the state’s 49.4 cents per gallon gas tax, according to a new Washington State Spring 2023 Priorities Survey. The survey of 600 registered voters was conducted from June 5 through June 7 in conjunction with Echelon Insights, an Alexandria, Va.-based research institute. It found that 71% of respondents felt the gas tax is too high and that state officials should be working to lower the overall cost of living in Washington. That contrasts with 16% of voters who indicated they thought the gas tax should be higher as a way of generating revenue for the state and fighting climate change. The survey also asked about the perception of gas prices in Washington compared to other states, with 79% of respondents saying they believed they pay more for gas. Only 14% believed the prices were about the same. At the time of the survey, Washington had the third-highest gas prices in the nation, which was mentioned in a poll question. Since then, gas prices in the Evergreen State have become the highest in the nation, with some experts linking that to Washington’s new carbon-pricing program launched this year that charges businesses for the greenhouse gases they emit. The first two quarterly auctions have brought in more than $850 million. Respondents were asked if they believed the carbon tax resulted in higher gas prices, with 60% answering affirmatively, 21% saying they were unsure and 19% believing it didn’t increase prices. Beyond energy, the survey asked a variety of issues, including homelessness, crime and policing. Researchers found that more than half of those polled – 53% – thought the state is now on the wrong track. More than one in three people – 37% – said that if given the opportunity they would move out of Washington. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.