Responses:  340 

Respondents described combining as a way to maintain enough athletes to field teams, preserve football, baseball, and softball opportunities, and offer greater team depth. Others highlighted access to facilities and shared coaching or resources. Comments also described friendships across schools, teamwork, and positive experiences in past seasons.

Travel and scheduling: Comments raised transportation costs, bus driver availability, long days, reduced practice time, and conflicts between school calendars. Some respondents felt travel requirements were unevenly

distributed.

Participation and fairness: Respondents questioned playing time, coaching decisions, representation, and whether competition for positions discourages turnout. Other comments defended selecting players based on effort and ability. Concerns about favoritism are reported perceptions, not findings of misconduct.

Competition and safety: Comments questioned whether combined teams can compete successfully against larger programs and raised injury concerns, particularly in football. Other respondents valued 11 player football

and higher competition. The survey does not establish injury rates, causes, or the classification of future teams.

School identity and relationships: Comments expressed a desire to restore individual school traditions and pride. Others valued the Titans identity or questioned being teammates in some seasons and rivals in others. Communication, shared leadership, and access to facilities for youth programs were also raised.

Since May 2014, Pe Ell and Willapa Valley School Districts have partnered to combine football, baseball, and fastpitch, creating opportunities for student-athletes that may not have otherwise been possible. This partnership has provided tremendous opportunities for our students, helped establish and strengthen athletic programs, and created countless memories, accomplishments, and lifelong friendships.

Thank you to the students, coaches, staff, families, and community supporters from both districts who have invested countless hours, energy, and pride to make PWV successful.  

Following extensive community input, thoughtful consideration, and discussion, the Willapa Valley School Board has requested that our athletic partnership with Pe Ell come to an end. This decision reflects our desire to begin rebuilding and strengthening our own Viking athletic traditions and creating opportunities that allow our students and community to reconnect with the pride of representing Willapa Valley.

The Willapa Valley School Board has requested separation at the conclusion of the 2026–2027 school year. The PWV Committee, which includes both superintendents and board chairs, has discussed and recommended this earlier timeline. The existing interlocal agreement outlines that termination would ordinarily take effect at the beginning of the next WIAA two-year league alignment cycle, following the 2027–2028 school year. The proposed early termination will be reviewed by both school boards at their upcoming meetings.

There is much planning ahead. Our priority is to ensure that our student-athletes continue to have meaningful athletic opportunities and that the transition is handled thoughtfully and responsibly. While we are excited about the opportunity for Viking pride to flourish independently once again, we recognize that this transition also marks the closing of an important chapter in both districts' histories. 

We look forward to the opportunity to rebuild the Willapa Valley Viking tradition, strengthen our school identity, and create new opportunities for our students. We also wish the Pe Ell Trojans continued success as they move forward in their own athletic journey.