Wrestling survives school budget crunch
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Last updated 8/13/1996 at Noon
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.
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