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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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Board supports effort to raise money for sports
Sports Editor A group of community members interested in raising funds to help offset proposed cuts in athletics and activities received the blessing of the Brainerd School Board Monday night.
Following a failed referendum Nov. 6, administration was recommending that 18 of 29 Minnesota State High School League activities that Brainerd High School offers be eliminated, along with all middle school and high school non-athletic activities.
On Monday, the board unanimously voted to proceed on the recommendation of its finance committee. Board member Bob Nystrom, speaking on behalf of the finance committee, said it was the committee's recommendation to endorse the parameters for reductions in athletics and activities, including gender equity, which is Federal Title XI, seasonal balance and a budget reduction of $860,000, and to support a community group to raise funds to support athletics and activities in the community.
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Brainerd Activities Director Todd Selk (right) told the Brainerd School Board during its regular meeting Monday how many athletics and activities the school district has during the fall and winter. Eighteen of 29 activities and sports are proposed to be cut.
Brainerd Dispatch/ Clint Wood
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"I think it's wonderful the community is coming forward for this," board member Ruth Gmeinder said. "Thank you."
Nystrom agreed. "I want to personally thank the group that has come forward with their leadership. I know it's a lot of work, and thank you. We need the help."
A few community members interested in fundraising attended the meeting Monday, including P.J. Smith. After the meeting Smith said the board's endorsement was what his group initially was hoping for.
"I would say this is obviously the first step," Smith said. "Unfortunately, it's the easiest step as well. The real hard work begins now, and that's figuring out an organizational structure to not only raise the money for the 2008-09 school year but to figure out the sustainability issue as well."
Activities director Todd Selk, who has met with the community group, said after the meeting that he was "hopeful the school board would continue the discussion that the community has brought forward as a result of the superintendent's call for some help."
"And, so far our community has responded to that," Selk added, "and we look forward to working with them to see what can be accomplished in this one particular area of athletics and activities."
An activities/athletics listening session is scheduled at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the BHS cafeteria. On March 10, the school board will meet to approve reductions in activities and athletics.
"The group understands that fundraising is timebound or the district cuts will be enacted," assistant superintendent Steve Razidlo said.
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