If the school district doesn't do something about girls softball at Brainerd High school, there may be a lawsuit filed by a citizens group.
A Chattanooga minister says Hamilton county schools are not providing equal facilities for female students.
When high school girls softball season starts next spring, this is where the Brainerd team will practice.
The school is on Moore Road., the Avondale field in on Wilcox. They play their games at Warner Park.
Pastor Bernie Miller says he has been asked to help raise 5000-dollars to outfit the team, and to push for a separate field on the campus.
PASTOR BERNIE MILLER, NEW COVENANT FELLOWSHIP "I do know this..you do not have equal facilities at Brainerd..and that is a violation of Title nine, because you must have equal facilities."
Hamilton county assistant superintendent Dr. Lee McDade told us..quote.."this problem didn't develop overnight and it won't be solved overnight."
He says facilities director Gary Waters has looked at the Brainerd grounds and wants to be sure there is no flooding problem before a site is selected.
Pastor Miller, and youth minister Larone Jennings, the third, say the schools are in violation.
PASTOR MILLER "If you compare East Hamilton's facilities with all the inner-city facilities, you will find that they have every sport imaginable represented and they have fields for them."
LARONE JENNINGS, III, YOUTH MINISTER "They've had a softball team, but the difficulties they have, the inconveniences that they have..makes it difficult for them to have a highly functional program."
Miller says he has offered the use of his church vans to transport the girls team back and forth, but the school district's Risk Management department says federal rules prohibit use of 15 passenger vans for students.
As for equipment, Miller says he hopes his group can help with that.
PASTOR BERNIE MILLER "They have forfeited so many games in the past simply because they didn't have the uniforms, didn't have the bats, didn't have the balls to make it happen."
Under Title 9, schools must provide equal facilities for both male and female student athletes.
Miller didn't tell us who may bring the lawsuit if the issues involving the Brainerd girls are not resolved.
