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As the fiscal noose tightens on Sisters schools, the school board is searching
for ways to save co-curricular programs.
The Sisters School Board approved the funding of coaches for wrestling programs
in the middle and high schools August 8, embarking on a policy shift that
allows the partial funding of some programs from gifts and donations.
The school board, faced with a dramatic shortfall in its unappropriated ending
fund budget, followed the recommendations of Superintendent Steve Swisher to
approve the funding of coaches' salaries ($5,000 for two coaches) and
transportation, but rely on donations to pay for equipment and other needs.
Swisher is counting on moneys to come forward from a proposed schools
foundation.
The school board endorsed a plan at their August 8 meeting to proceed with the
formation of such an organization.
Swisher said he believes the foundation will collect as much as $50,000 in the
coming year from various programs ranging from ambitious concerts performed by
nationally acclaimed entertainers to barbecues held during the Outdoor Quilt
Show.
He said the foundation, as a non-profit organization, would qualify donations
for tax deductions. He said he already has had various persons propose
donations for school programs. He said the foundation can accept general
donations, or those offered for specific purposes, such as the wrestling
program.
Swisher told the Nugget that similar foundations have been set up in
districts around the state. He said he personally had experience with
foundations in South Lane County and Eagle Point. He said Sisters, like many
other schools, is faced with revenue reductions due to Ballot Measure 5 which
phases down the percentage of revenues collected from property taxes.
He said the hardest hit programs are those for student performance such as art,
music, dance and athletics. In addition, he said, equipment for labs in both
the academic and shop areas have not been replaced or upgraded as necessary.
Meanwhile, student enrollment is up slightly at the elementary level and up by
153 students in the middle/high school level.
The foundation provides an additional source of income to pick up the shortfall
in funds created by the ballot measure, according to Swisher.
Swisher asked the board to give wrestling a chance, saying, "I don't think you
should cut wrestling completely until you have given it a chance to fund
raise."
The program was approved with dissenting votes cast by Connie Morris and Jan
Vandenberg. Morris said she disagreed with funding the program when there are
budget problems. Vandenberg questioned the value of wrestling when compared to
what he termed "team" sports that are not being funded, such as soccer and
softball.
