.."Athletic director Bill Faflick said if he had to cut 25 percent of his $1.5 million budget, 12 sports would be eliminated and several others scaled back, eliminating opportunities for 1,843 students to compete."

"At high schools, the remaining sports would be football, soccer, volleyball, bowling, basketball and track and field."..

leave bowling? are you kidding? and soccer isnt much better either, but we dont play soccer in northwest kansas either.

as i understand it (and i maybe be mistaken)schools recieve funding based upon enrollment, or certain amount of dollars per student. now if 1800+ kids were to move out or leave the district, i'd guess they would have thier perverbal cut wouldnt they? makes no sense does it? perhaps its a bluff by the school district to try to relieve some of the pressure put on them, to get the parents all riled up to so they will call legislators to get the funding the school district needs to continue?

how is your bowling arm? can you pick up that 7-10 split? are beer, cigars, and peanuts going to be part of the curriculum?

Actually tough, bowling isn't a lettering sport, it's more a club. If memory serves me correctly, bowling is privately funded by the bowling alleys. They couldn't cut bowling because bowling isn't part of their budget. I could be mistaken.

Gibby,
I agree with your assessment that this is a rallying the troups agenda, but what is wrong with that? It is unfortunate that the school districts in the state have to publicly talk about cuts to get people to advocate for them. If enough parents do contact their legislators, and indicate that they expect something done, or will speak with their vote at the next election, I gaurantee something will happen. The legislators have felt little to no pressure from the voting public to increase school funding, maybe this is what must happen to get the pressure applied. And if our elected represenatives do not come through, they need to be defeated in the next elections by someone who advocates for our children's education.

As far as keeping "Revenue Generating Sports", I very seriously doubt many high school athletic program generates enough revenue to cover its costs. Sure more people show up to a football game, but each athlete is wearing several thousand dollars worth of equipment. Most high school athletic programs simply do not make enough in gate reciepts to cover the costs of coaches, officials, equipment, travel, and workers at the events. I would assume that wrestling is on the chopping block because it is not percieved as a major sport. Simply look in the Wichita Eagle for the wrestling coverage compared to any other sport. That is why it is on the chopping block.

I hope you do not misread the tone of my post. I know we are both on the same side of this issue, it is just frustrating to see that our educational system has come to this.

I wasn't implying that 259 is bad because they brought this out.

After 15 years as a political junkie and 8 as a teacher/coach, one theme rings true. If you want money, just say, 'it's for the kids.' It is the oldest political persuasive technique out there. Kiss a baby, trumpet for kids during times of economic crisis, the list goes on and on. How many commercials are out there with Sally Struthers or telethons with Jerry Lewis have we seen to become almost numb to the cause?

You're right, we are on the same side. I'd hate to see the programs lose out. What are the alternatives? I don't know and I don't get paid close to six figures to figure it out. The head AD for the district does though. It should be his job.

There are many things 259 can do to make things run effeciently, as is true with most districts. I hope they figure it out before it's too late.

Dear Wrestling Friends.

Help the Wrestling Programs

Let's use Garden City High School as a very good example. First, Garden City has a wonderful booster club (Anyone who has come the the GC Invite knows this).

The parents, coaches, former wrestling parents, former wrestlers all come together
to raise money and give time to help support the wrestling program.

This supplemental fund raising helps counter any budget concerns that the school admin. or school boards might raise.

As Martha says...its a good thing

The Key my friends is to promote a wrestling family atmosphere. It all begins with a head
coach and willing parents to move forward.

Many unpaid hours by parents are put in to sports programs and yes...for the kids. Be very careful who you elect as your representatives even for school board..and if you want to make a difference....run for school board.

Heck, in Wichita, running for school board is a good stepping stone for future political activism. Just ask Schroeder (sp?).

HORRIBLE IDEA! Every school should have a wrestling program. But if numbers are down then what can you do.

From Wichita former USD 259 Board of Education members now serving in Kansas Legislature:

Kansas House of Representatives
1. Jo Anne Pottorf

Kansas Senate:
1. Jean Schodorf

Gibby,

Bowling is privately funded. One of the bowlers confirmed this for me the other night.

Ms. Jenni

Thanks for the info Jenni and Richard.

Yep, you read it, I just thanked Richard.