Marion school board nixes activity fee
Staff writer
Discussion regarding budget cuts and possible ways to increase funding dominated Marion-Florence USD 408 school board meetings during March and April.
The board put the last remaining budget issue to rest Monday night when it decided against charging a participation fee for activities.
During previous meetings, the possibility of charging an activity fee had been suggested to increase funding and help offset other costs of the athletic program.
Athletic director Tod Gordon told the board charging a $25 activity fee — based on the number of participants this past year — would bring in approximately $5,000.
Gerald Henderson, superintendent of schools, told board members he did not recommend charging an activity participation fee.
"I feel that $5,000 would not be worth the loss of kids participating," Henderson said. "I feel it flies in the face of what a public school is all about."
Henderson said the public perception is that every budget cut made in the district has been at the expense of academics and not athletics.
"That's not totally true," Henderson said. "But I hope we can find other savings besides (adding a) participation fee. Some families would have trouble coming up with that money along with everything else they have to do."
Board members questioned which activities would be included in the fee. For instance, are activities volleyball, football, basketball, and other sports or does it also include vocal, band, forensics, and the like?
Board member Chris Sprowls said he believed it should include every activity.
Board member Keith Collett said it would be difficult to charge an activity fee for classes like vocal, band, and debate, because they are offered for credit.
"If you're in a course for credit and you don't go to contest because you haven't paid your activity fee then your grade will be affected," Collett said.
Board president Rex Savage agreed with Collett, noting it would be hard not to participate when you're taking a class for credit.
"For the hassle involved and the downside that it doesn't raise that much money, another possible negative is that kids might not participate," commented board vice president Gene Bowers.
Sprowls voiced an opposing opinion. "Personally, I'd like to see it," he said. "Twenty-five dollars isn't that much. They (kids) spend that much on a pair of shoes."
Earlier in the meeting, Gordon said he had cut the athletic budget 10 percent across the board and showed other cuts which had been made to sports and other extra-curricular programs.
In response, board member Kathy Meierhoff said she believed sports and extra-curricular activities already had been affected and the fee was unnecessary.
Board member Sarah Cope said she felt the fee should be instituted. "But I remember Ken (Arnhold, Marion High School principal) sat here and told us a child had told him if there was an activity fee he couldn't participate in sports.
"We're a public school," Cope continued. "And some people just can't afford it."
Collett said children are entitled to a "free appropriate public education under the law.
"If activities are a part of that they should be free," he said.
After listening to comments, Savage noted the board did not have consensus on the topic of creating an activity fee.
"But we're on board with the other things," he said.
The "other things" included other activity budget cuts proposed by Gordon. The cuts include:
A 10 percent activities budget cut resulting in a savings of $4,600; eliminating the dance team for a $1,000 savings; eliminating hotel and overnight stay expense for forensics squad state trips resulting in a $600 savings. (Gordon noted this also could apply to other activities when state competition is held within a close driving distance)
A voluntary $400 reduction in the National Honorary Society budget; reducing the number of out-of-town games cheerleaders attend for a $400 savings; taking the junior varsity football game at Hoisington off the schedule (too far away, Gordon said) for a $200 savings; setting football homecoming for the week following Old Settlers' Day which results in an additional $500 in gate receipts.
Increased gate admission for a $3,000 increase; eliminating USD 408 participation in 2004 coaching clinics for a $2,000 savings; and addition of a new cooperative agreement with Peabody-Burns USD 398 allowing students from both schools to participate together in wrestling, baseball, and softball for a $3,000 increase. The changes will result in a $15,700 total cut in the activities budget.
In other matters, the board:
— voted 5-1 to leave fees for 2004-05 the same as during the 2003-04 school year. Member Collett voted no commenting that he believed fees were similar to charging to tuition.
— approved the Marion Elementary School handbook as presented with a few editorial changes. The approval included a 50-minute period schedule for the new fifth-sixth grade departmentalized program at Marion Elementary School. This schedule allows physical education and vocal music to be offered daily but moves band to four days a week. On Wednesdays, class periods will be 35 minutes long to allow time for library, art, and computer classes.
— approved the employment of Sarah Waddell as library aide at MES.
— approved the following end-of-year transfers, subject to receiving final state aid payments:
— Moving $80,000 from the general fund to contingency reserve. Also, moving the balance of the general fund up to the maximum general fund budget, not exceeding the cash available, to capital outlay.
— Moving the following amounts from supplemental general to the various designated funds: $25,000 to food service; $5,000 to driver's education; $35,000 to summer school; $10,000 to professional development; and finally, moving the balance of the supplemental general fund up to the maximum supplemental general fund budget (not to exceed the cash available) to special education.
— expressed final appreciation to retiring Gerald Henderson for his years of service to the district. Superintendent Lee Leiker officially takes over Thursday.
