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At a special meeting last week, the board discussed various ways to address projected financial shortfalls for the activities portion of the district’s budget. The overall cost for the 94 activities offered through all grades was just under $1 million in 2007-08. However, overall revenues exceeded costs by only $26,000.
There might not be an excess for the 2008-09 budget to count on. A 36 percent increase in fuel costs charged to the district for transportation of students has created impetus for the board to find additional revenue sources. The activities department is projected to incur at least a $10,000 shortfall just in transportation for normally school-funded programs.
Even without the fuel increases, the board has faced inflationary pressures and other cost increases for several years.
The funds directed to the activities department from the school district comprise only 1.4 percent of the district’s entire budget. That covers only 68 percent of what it takes to run all the programs. The rest of the activities department revenues come from student fundraising, parents, and booster club, corporate and community donations.
Linzi Gronning, activities director at the high school, said the allocation for transportation has not changed since 2006-07. The amounts that coaches can spend on supplies, uniforms, entry fees and other things have remained the same for the past 13 years.
Ideas the board is considering include:
nRevise the district’s advertising policy to generate additional revenue from corporate sponsors
Board member Tim Medinger was troubled by a number of the ideas, including charging students activity fees. “I struggle with this. It’s about our philosophy. What are we here for? To prepare (students) for life. Activities prepare them for life. It teaches them teamwork and other skills.” he said.
The board seemed to agree in concept that gate fees and ticket sales revenue should go back into the activity department funds as opposed to the district’s general fund. Most board members also felt the school district should pay more as a percentage of the budget, but didn’t know where the district would get the funds.
“We’re trying to do what’s best for the students,” said board president Cheryl Hancock. “All activities are important. Even if there are just five kids in a program, it may the program that is keeping them on track and out of trouble.”
