School staff to get free sports pass

Staff at the Cloquet schools won’t have to pay to attend ballgames and other athletic events next year, a move district officials hope will make it easier for teachers and staff who carry a district photo ID to attend and show support.

Cloquet school board members debated the loss of funds from admission fees and passes versus the benefits and elected to at least try the new policy for a year. The district’s family engagement office and activities director Paul Riess recommended the move.

“It’s good for the kids,” Riess told the board. “I was in the classroom for 18 years. When you show up to...