Picher-Cardin suspends athletics for school year

PICHER, Okla. (AP) _ There will be no athletic teams at the Picher-Cardin school district for the coming school year. <br/><br/>The school board is suspending all athletic programs because of low pre-enrollment

Monday, June 26th 2006, 3:29 pm

By: News On 6

PICHER, Okla. (AP) _ There will be no athletic teams at the Picher-Cardin school district for the coming school year.

The school board is suspending all athletic programs because of low pre-enrollment and a general lack of interest among students who will return to the school this fall.

A pending state buyout of homes in the Tar Creek Superfund site led many families to move and student-athletes to transfer to nearby schools.

The district had more than 100 students last year but the school board is expecting at least a 50 percent decrease when school resumes this fall.

And Superintendent Walker says once the buyouts begin the school will probably close.