All over the country schools are struggling to survive. Tax appropriations go down, and the cost of transportation, equipment and supplies, and liability insurance keeps going up. What are the athletic programs to do at some schools. I saw the other day where some schools are suspending their athletic programs. Others, are limiting the number of athletic events and the distance traveled. I saw where one school's football coach was told to limit his schedule to nine games with no post season possibility. Another coach was told that he couldn't schedule anybody that was over 75 miles round trip from the school. Some schools are even charging the kids to play. For example, fees being charged are $75 per kid per sport. Another is $250 per kid flat rate with a $1000 family maximum.

What do you think of this? Do you think we will ever see it here? There's already a big much at the legislative level to document how much money is being spent on athletics. Schools have different opinions on what should be counted as "athletic expeditures". Some schools don't want it known how much they spend. Others are open about it.

Where is this going to lead us to? What about going to a four day week. I saw where they've looked at adding 80 minutes to the school day, and only going four days a week. The studies have shown that it would neither be benneficial, or detrimental, to the students academically. What would it do to athletics?

Where is this going?

Bayman, this is a very touchy subject for many folks. But its one that will have to be addressed at most schools in the very near future. High School athletic programs for the most part are not self-supporting, not even close. Many out there think that schools are making money at their sporting events but the reality is that most are going in the hole every year. For a program to stay even they have to have the financial backing of the community and strong booster clubs. The main reason alot of schools balk at furnishing financial records is the fact that it would show how much their losing and most people would trully be shocked.
There are atleast 2 current members of the State Board of Education that would like nothing more than to shut down every athletic program in the State. And if the true financial records for High School athletics come in they will have plenty of support to shut many down. Their stance is that Johnny is at school to get his education not play hoops or football.
Many private schools already charge an activity fee for each sport a kid participates in. You'll see this at many public schools in the very near future.
The one statistic I'd like to see is how many kids we'll lose (drop-out) if the State does close some of these athletic programs. I know for a fact that the first thing the State looks at when a school is having financial problems is shutting down athletics. No field trips, no nothing involving a bus unless the fuel is paid for by outside sources.
People had better start paying attention before its too late.

This problem is here. Maybe not this year (games are already scheduled) but everyone is going to the 4 games 2 nights a week. I wouldnt be surprised if parents dont have to start carrying their kids to the ballgames. I know a couple of schools this summer that the buses did not take the kids team camps... Schools are already talking seriously about 4 day school weeks. A super told me that it would
save his school over 100,000 a year to park the buses for one day a week. so the situation is knocking on the door.

I've heard this rumor,but is there a source for it? How would that work,would our kids be going to school until July? This would be a double edge sword,it saves the school some money,but cost parents.

There are familys that work while the kids are at school.Its works out just right where they don't need someone watching there kids.Now they would need someone on Fridays,or what ever day they picked.Those moms that only work during the school year because after they pay a sitter wouldn't make enough money to justify it.

I know your talking about the schools saving money,and not worried about the parents,but I think they have to consider this.

Cup, the source for some of these proposals is the State Legislators and the Dept. of Education. The 4 day week would involve adding 2 hours a day to the school day, with schools beginning and ending at the same times as they do now (August and May). Several State agencies have already gone to the 4 day week. I believe the Hwy. Depts. have gone to 4 days a week (I could be wrong about them though). Another proposal I've heard is moving Football games for Jr. and Sr. High to Saturdays (during the day), with the Jr. High playing the 1st game and Sr. High playing the 2nd game in order to save on burning the lights. If you've got likes or dislikes, now would be the time to get involved with your local boards and Admins. Because I've got a strong feeling its coming to a school near you very soon.

I wonder how the kids would adjust going from,seven to four? In the Manila district the kids that live out in the old missco area would have to catch the bus at 5:30am. They would also get home around the same time,except in the pm.That would put some kids having 12 hour days.

Then you have to add in home work,kids that are on the sports teams,and bands.On game nights for basketball they wouldn't have time for homework before the game.The kids that live out in that area wouldn't get home until around ten,and thats if it's a home game. So a kid could be up until Midnight doing his homework,giving him/her five hours of sleep.

Thats all worse case,kids that live in town wouldn't be affected as bad,or if there not involed with the school teams,or bands ext.I think you have to add a month on the school year if you go to four day weeks,vs adding two hours a day.I believe for the younger kids ten to twelve hours would be too much.

I understand I gave extreme examples that wouldn't be daily events,but those dozen or so days they did would be a bit much.The Missco examples would always be around 12 hour days including bus rides.

Maybe the answer lies in the other direction by considering going back to neighborhood schools and less consolidation. Dyess,Keiser,Wilson,like would have their own buildings K-6back to save money on gas but would still be Rivercrest from 7-12.
Maybe this would just shift where the money is spent,but at leat the kids won't have to catch the bus at 530am.
The more things change,the more they stay the same.

Schools are not a free baby sitting service although that is how many parents view us. I like the idea of going to four days with additional time added at the end of the day. It would save a monstrous amount of money in transportation. The fuel and drivers pay is cut 20%. You run 4 days instead of 5. It would also make a savings on the heating and cooling and food. You would be paying cafeteria workers 4 days instead of 5. You would have to provide a snack time for younger children and if you had good sense the older ones, but it would only be required by law for young children.

I love ball games but that is not the sole purpose for school. The extra day off would give a lot of time for homework and all those hours of practice that coaches love.

I'am sure it's hard enough for those people to make a living as it is.Taking away a days pay might brake those familys.No question it's a double edge sword either way.Here's my question,if the teachers that are for the idea,still be if there pay was cut also?

You know, in most countries other than the U.S., sports has no connection to the school system. Everything is club sports. If you want to play, you pay a fee and join a club.