The Kiel Area School District in northeast Wisconsin is offering a phy ed class in sports officiating and coaching.
Kiel Area School District photo

KIEL — Another Wisconsin school district is one of a growing number to use an innovative way to address the shortage of referees in high school sports.

New this year, the Kiel Area School District in northeast Wisconsin is offering a phy ed class in sports officiating and coaching.

Students currently are learning volleyball officuatong and will eventually become WIAA licensed referees in three sports.

The Kiel Area School District is one of 75 districts across the state offering students an officiating course.

Although the number of referees statewide has bounced back from pandemic lows, according to the WIAA, unruly parents remain a barrier to recruitment.



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By Dan Plutchak

Dan Plutchak, born and raised in Kaukauna, is cofounder of Kaukauna Community News.