As a lifelong resident of Cook County, a former student-athlete of Cook County schools, a current coach of two varsity athletic programs, and a parent of four children in our school system, I feel compelled to give everyone an accurate picture of what a failed levy vote would do to the academic and athletic programs at Cook County schools.
The district’s total operating budget is approximately $6,620,000. The total budget for all athletics is approximately $160,000 or 2.4 percent of the total budget. After students pay their activity fees and we receive gate receipts and personal donations, the athletic department generates about $60,000 in funds. This brings the financial burden of the athletic department to approximately $100,000 or 1.5% of the overall budget.
In other words, we run one of the most efficient athletic programs in the country. Our local Booster Club helps supplement our athletic programs each and every year to the tune of $10,000 to $15,000 annually. In addition, our athletic programs simply wouldn’t exist if not for the continued support of the generous local businesses that have been unwavering in their financial support.
This year, the athletic department was asked to cut $20,000 from the budget, or a decrease of 12.5 percent. This is simply an impossible request, considering the concessions we have already made in the past:
No winter or spring athletic teams play a full schedule. Each of those sports generally compete in six to eight less contests each year compared to their counterparts. Yes, this does affect the competitiveness of our programs.
The Booster Club funds one junior high coach for each sport already. Coaches pay their own association fees.
Here is an example to highlight my point: In basketball we have a $380 supplies budget. That almost covers the purchase of 10 basketballs. Anything else our team needs is funded by the Booster Club, a fundraising effort, a coach’s personal purchase, or a local business’s donation. There is no extra. There are no frivolous purchases. This year because of the upcoming levy vote, our supplies budgets have been frozen. Zero dollars pay for zero basketballs.
If we asked the rest of the school to cut 12.5 percent of their budgets, that would equal a cut of approximately $827,500. It would be devastating and would lead to big classes, less electives, and fewer opportunities for our young people, not to mention families leaving our district for better opportunities in other districts.
To those of you who believe we should cut all athletic programs, I ask you to look at the larger picture of what athletics do for the young men and women participating in school activities. Competitive varsity athletics teach many of the values we want instilled in our current and future work place: responsibility, integrity, a strong work ethic, accountability, and many more core values that are too numerous to be listed. These same values are not taught in pickup games or intra-mural leagues where kids are playing in games against their hometown peers. Varsity athletics offers young people the unique opportunity to learn life lessons while working together throughout a season to accomplish a common set of goals.
If the levy does fail and we are forced to cut the $160,000 that we use to fund athletics, you also have to take into consideration the repercussions of such an act. My guess is that we would lose a minimum of 20 students that will pursue the opportunity to participate in academics and athletics in other places. Losing 20 students would equal approximately $200,000 less in annual state aid to the school based on an average per pupil funding formula of $10,000, which varies each year based on the complicated state funding formula that the state of Minnesota uses.
Cutting $160,000 from the budget could actually set the school back another $40,000 annually. This is only the beginning, as we are only talking about 2.4 percent of a $6,200,000 budget. Imagine if we had to cut 12.5 percent ($827,500) from the entire budget!
As a conservative who has libertarian leanings, I understand why people question levies, increases in taxes, and government programs. However, the state funding formula, with all its complexities, is not adequately funding rural schools. The state is forcing rural schools to ask for help from their local taxpayers. 87 pecent of Minnesota school districts currently have voter approved levies in place.
The upcoming school levy vote in November will be for not only the future of our school system, but for that of our community as well. Let’s not let this issue divide our community like much of the country is over the current state of politics. Let’s unite behind the youth of our community. Twenty years in education has taught me to believe in our young people. They are bright, optimistic, and full of promise. Help us offer them the opportunities that will help them grow and flourish so that our community can as well.
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