[Altro Cat]

Mr. Hammonds is very highly thought of by most people associated with the Rockcastle Co school system. It's important to note that he was not hired by the local school system. He was hired by the state dept of education to manage the school system while it is under state control. It appears the Breathitt co school system is in quite the quandary. Hammonds, I would imagine, was hired to get the system back on a firm academic and financial footing. Athletics are not the priority in this crisis situation.

I have met Mr. Hammonds and worked under him for several months. He is as nice of a human being as you will ever meet and he is doing nothing more than the job he was hired to do. He is being paid very well to correct some problems with the school system and that is his priority.

With that being said I don't like the idea of cancelling elementary sports but I can understand it given his position and his priorities. It is not uncommon in other areas of the country for a county or city recreation league to govern and run the elementary programs. I lived in Georgia for a few years and down there the school system doesn't field any sports teams until 7th grade, everything before that was recreation leagues run by the county, city or other organization.