School Budget Discussion

Re: School Boundaries

Rest assured that Swimming will be the first sport cut. It has no support at the county level, a shortage of facilities, and undesirable and very limited practice times. Fairfax is considering cutting their swimming program, and then Loudoun will eagerly follow. I'm sure it's regarded as a costly nuisance by athletic administrators.

My son is a talented swimmer who is not on his HS team. Since they can offer only 4 hours per week of practices it isn't worth his time. For many sports, including swimming, club sports is where you get quality training and competition. Don't count on an athletic scholarship in any case - they are hard to come by these days - and certainly don't if you pin all your hopes on a HS program in these sports.

 

Re: School Boundaries

College scholarships also come from high school extra curriculars..believe it or not. Those children who aren't good enough for a full ride scholarship but due to high grades AND extra-curricular participation are offered particular scholarships. I know all about club teams but I also know that high school athletics make a difference as well. You may not count one iota on a high school team for "college opportunities' but there are quite a lot of students out there who received scholarships without participating on club teams.

 

Re: School Boundaries

Steve,

I have no problem with you suggesting that Cheerleading or a part of the program be canceled. My point is it's currently in the sports offering.

Now propose the cut and deal with the rathe of supporters. That's what the school board and Hatrick are doing. Substitute cheerleading with any other program and get the same response.

For perspective, I looked at the Stone Bridge yearbook, there are 24 varsity members, 12 JV members, and 12 freshman. That's 48 per semester. There are additional "different" cheerleaders in the second semester, but keep it simple. Ten high schools that's 480 students in the program. All after your throat for cutting their program. Get the picture? This isn't easy.

 

Re: School Boundaries

Steve, I know you could give a $%#@$ about any of this, but you always provide a good view for debate. But I'll bet on the cheerleader parents against you anytime. You don't have chance.

Regardless, you must admit my point, it's not easy to make these cuts, someone is going to be in your face!!

p.s. most coaches are not teachers at the school. Each has there own contract. Which by the way is pittance usually around $1,000 bucks.

 

Re: School Boundaries

Just for clarification, I don't have a child who is counting on an athletic scholarship (although I have children in high school sports), and I wasn't even particularly talking about swimming, gymnastics or any one sport. My point was simply that in my opinion, it's just not that easy to pick one, two or three sports to cut, as it will affect someone's child. I have several friends who have children that are in college now benefitting from unexpected scholarship opportunities (an no, I'm not talking about swimming) that came from their child's participation in high school sports. Obvously, you believe that I'm wrong which is fine.

 

Re: School Boundaries

Never said do nothing at all. Just that it's not as easy as just cutting this sport or that sport - it will have an impact on many kids. Obviously, there needs to be cuts and I know it will impact many. The only fear I need to get past is how I will pay my mortgage next year. I work for a local school system or at least do for now - I am most likely losing my job with the budget cuts (which is an entirely different painful conversation). It is obviously upsetting to me that I'm on the chopping block (there will be a negative impact for sure with our positions lost). When everyone is posting so easily about cutting AD's, parent liaisons and other positions, just remember that these are people's lives you are talking about.

 

Re: School Boundaries

As someone who (unexpectedly) received an athletic scholarship due to participation in a HS sport (track), I totally agree that it can/does happen, and I am an avid supporter of sports programs, especially in HS. I would hate to see sports cut - kids would lose out. I know from experience and observation that being part of a sport gives kids purpose, self-worth, discipline, and a positive identity. This development is part of the educational experience in my opinion (for those that choose it).

But parents will get their kids involved in sports at age 6, see some talent at age 8, and start preparing for an athletic scholarship. This is naive. Also, HS sports do not necessarily introduce an athlete to the larger, national pool of talent that competes for scholarships. So kids/parents have an exaggerated perception of their ability. Just keep it in perspective. Loudoun County athletics may not be at the top of the heap.

The point - and I agree with Steve - is that if cuts are necessary, look at the "support" staff first. These administrative positions are just not critical to getting the job done. There is plenty of overindulgence in the Loudoun County school system, and rather than cut any program which our children benefit from, lose the inflated personnel associated with overseeing the programs.

The example of a system of overstaffing is Hatrick putting the elimination of assistant AD's in the 10% budget reduction pile. Why wait? Do it now. We are supposed to cry over the ADs having to manage things without a helper? Welcome to the real world.

The budget he proposed defies common sense. Thus, it is clearly a tactic to threaten to cut valuable programs in order to save the entire regime.

I hope sports are not in jeopardy, it doesn't seem so. But I know that something like swimming will go before freshman football. While freshman anything is overkill, swimming and other sports that have facility issues are a pain in the neck for administrators and they will find any reason to get rid of it. And maybe it's just as well, because certain sports can be done well at the HS level and some cannot. Swimming - for one - cannot.

 

Re: School Boundaries

Not true that's not how it works. Each squad has their own coach. Each team runs their own program, they go to different games, and train at different times.

 

Re: School Boundaries

Possibly, a lot of people share your view. Now face the 460 students who will be effected by your cut.

I started this whole thing to highlight how this is not an easy process. Necessary but very complicated. It's not as easy as saying just cut the AD. Real kids are going to be effected by what is implemented.

 

Re: School Boundaries

How many students are there overall in the school system? Anything that gets cut is going to affect someone.

 

Re: School Boundaries

I think it's something like 56,000.

 

Re: School Boundaries

:happybounce:Right on flynn

 

Re: School Boundaries

Completely agree with you too Flynnibus. Sports are important, but not as important as academics and getting kids through school. With as much as most parents are willing to pay for travel sports, those who truly want to play will keep playing. I see nothing wrong with having athletes families paying something to help pay for the shortfall. When I sign my son up for teams outside of school, I have to pay. In elementary schools we have to pay for afternoon clubs. I have a son who loves sports, but needs that extra help in school. We need to make sure our kids education is not suffering.

 

Re: School Boundaries

I hope you are submitting your citizen comments to the board:

http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/lo...&SurveyID=730654LK2824I2&509Nav=|&NodeID=4579