Benefits to joining Mid-Columbia Conference paying dividends

School bus mileage for sports trips has dropped nine percent in the past three years since the district left the Big Nine Conference to join the newly formed Mid-Columbia Conference, according to Transportation Director Steve Olson. This move has resulted in a savings of approximately $32,000 for the district. The switch is also noticed in the classroom where student-athletes are not being pulled out of school for extended periods of time for game travel.

In June 2012, Walla Walla Public Schools, Kennewick School District, Pasco School District and Richland School District withdrew from the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference (CBBN) to form the new athletic league. Wenatchee, Yakima, Moses Lake and Sunnyside School Districts remained in the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference. The new Mid-Columbia Conference has eight schools with an equal number of 3A and 4A teams.

Prior to joining the MCC, most Walla Walla sports teams typically made at least one trip per season to Wenatchee, Yakima, Moses Lake and Sunnyside. These trips are no longer being made regularly thus eliminating the need to leave class right after lunch.

“We have over 800 students who compete in athletics at Walla Walla High School, and any time that we can keep them in classes and keep them moving forward academically, it’s a good thing,” said Principal Pete Peterson. “Parent support has been strong for this move, especially since kids are not getting home at 1 a.m. or later returning from Wenatchee.”

Mileage Comparisons:
- 2011-12 / 60,690 miles
- 2012-13 / 54,985 miles
- 2013-14 / 51,343 miles

Savings Breakdown:
The district saved approximately $22,000 in mileage charges since making the switch to the MCC in 2012. The district also saved approximately $10,000 in school bus driver wages since joining the MCC.