Schools

Game On: UCS Approves Proposal To Save Junior High Sports

The Utica Community Schools Board of Education approved a pilot proposal to fund the seventh- and eighth-grade athletics programs until 2013.

Utica Community Schools' seventh-and eighth-grade athletics program will survive for at least two more years.

The UCS Board of Education Monday night approved a pilot proposal–prepared by parents and UCS administration–for the 2011-13 athletics program.

”The success of this proposal was a direct result of the dedicated group of parents working with our administration,” said UCS Superintendent Christine Johns. “Our collaborative efforts have resulted in a self-sustaining program that will allow seventh- and eighth-grade students to participate in school athletics. “

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At a June 2011 UCS School Board meeting, junior high school winter and spring sports programs were cut from the 2011-12 school year budget, and funding for the fall sports would have ended after the fall 2011 season, affecting more than 2,000 student athletes at the district’s seven junior high schools.

Since then, a committee made up of school athletic directors, Robin Dilday, the district’s athletic director, and more than 60 parents met several times over the simmer to come up with a plan to save the athletic department.

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“It looks like when people put their minds together, solutions start to emerge,” said Carol Klinow, the UCS board president.

The pilot proposal consists of three main components: an increased revenue stream, cost containment and bridging the gap for the next two years to fill the deficit.

Revenue Stream Includes Increased Pay to Participate Rates

Pay to participate rates will increase from the current $85 to $145, which is the same cost UCS high school athletes pay.

Dilday said he acknowledged that the increased fee may be too much for some families and the athletic numbers may drop, but the committee of parents agreed upon the fee.

“When you raise the fees you always run the risk of reducing the number of athletes. I anticipate there will be some reduction because of that fee. But by and large they (parents) think it will be a fair fee,” he said.

An admission fee of $2 and $1 for students will be implemented. Booster clubs for each junior high school will be established, and the clubs will set up concession stands at the games to drum up additional revenue.

Also, parents will seek advertising and corporate sponsorship.

Cost Containment Relies Heavily on Volunteers

Paid game workers, such as scorekeepers, ticket-takers and line judges will be converted into to volunteer positions.

Bridging the Gap

Even with all the changes, the proposal comes up short each year. On Tuesday, the board agreed to a one-time transfer of $184,000 from the district’s Enrichment Fund, which comes from all non K-12 paid community classes, for the 2011-12 year.

For the following year, the proposal calls for a large community-based fundraising effort that will result in another $324,500.

Expenses that Will Not Change

Coaching costs represent the largest expense to the athletics program. It will cost $621,000 to pay coaches and coaching staff during the 2011-13 seasons for all junior high school sports.

There will be no change in coaches’ salaries for now and all future changes would come through collective bargaining.

Also, the proposal maintains one-way transportation for all sports–except football–to all games.


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