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District Athletic Program
May 22, 2009
At last night’s Governing Board meeting, the Board acted to approve our Third Interim report as required when a district has a Qualified or Negative budget certification at either the First or Second Interim. While our budget situation for 2008-09 is sound due to the significant and painful cuts and reductions we have already made, the upcoming reductions that Sacramento will impose upon us immediately push us into deep deficit spending for both 2009-10 and 2010-11 without further adjustments.
In reviewing the multi-year projections that are part of an interim report, the discussion with the Board included an examination of both revenues and expenditures. As previously developed, our multi-year projections included a decrease in revenue of over $550,000 due to the estimated loss of 100 students in grades 7-12 as a result of the elimination of the District athletic program. In other words, cutting sports is projected to cut deeply into our revenue.
In my budget reduction recommendations made that the Board approved in February, I identified a savings of $243,000 that would be achieved by eliminating sports. It is evident at this time that the potential savings would be erased by the loss of revenue tied to the decline in enrollment. As a result of this conclusion, the Board adopted the Third Interim without the budget assumption of having no sports at the 7-12 level. In short, the Board has given the Administration the direction to reinstate the athletic program with certain provisions.
Specifically, the direction was given to re-establish one release period for the Athletic Director and to restore the clerical time to support athletics. Additionally, we will be identifying other costs which are essential components of running the athletic program. These include, but are not limited to, state, section, and league dues; officials; medical supplies and services; safety equipment; and other expenses related to the overall operation of an athletic program.
Stipends for coaching positions and funds for specific program needs (uniforms, non-safety equipment, entry fees, etc.) will not be included in the District’s expenditures on athletics. Stipends will not be paid and fund-raising for them will not be allowed. Fund-raising by sport-specific boosters will be necessary to meet basic needs for each sport and the newly formed Dixon Sports Boosters will continue to support the overall program through its activities.
The Board and the District Administration realize that, for many of you, this decision will be viewed negatively. As with our earlier considerations of closing a school, moving Maine Prairie, eliminating the Independent Study program, and other ideas, the numbers just did not add up to continue the direction that we had previously undertaken. While some may suggest that we are saying sports are more important than other areas that have been subject to cuts or reductions, the reality is that at this time, restoring sports makes financial sense.
We have many more difficult days ahead of us with many more difficult decisions to make. I encourage you to continue to give input and feedback as we work to keep the District fiscally sound and the best place possible for our students in such trying conditions.
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