Middle school, freshman sports could suffer under budget cuts
Several interscholastic teams would be eliminated under a plan to cut costs at Portland's three middle schools.
By Kelley Bouchard kbouchard@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
Portland school officials are considering a $388,000 spending reduction in the coming year that would fundamentally change middle school and freshman high school sports programs in Maine's largest district.
They have plenty of company, as school districts across the state develop budgets for the 2010-11 school year that call for millions of dollars in personnel and program cuts to offset state and federal funding reductions.
In Portland, several interscholastic teams -- football, field hockey, soccer and softball, to name a few -- would be eliminated as part of a plan to save $188,000 on sports at the city's three middle schools.
When possible, students would be encouraged to join community sports programs. For some sports, the district would start extramural programs in which middle school teams would play each other.
Portland and Deering high schools would save $200,000 by eliminating freshman sports programs, absorbing some first-year students into junior varsity teams and directing others to community sports programs.
"These are forced choices," said Lee Crocker, principal of Moore Middle School in Portland. "We're trying to replace a program that's being offered by the schools with a program that's being offered in the community. Some kids are on three different soccer teams. In these financial times, we simply can't afford to be duplicating programs."
Crocker noted that sports account for less than 20 percent of the $1.2 million in cuts planned for Portland's middle schools, as the district prepares for a $4.6 million reduction in state and federal funding in the budget year starting July 1.
Gov. John Baldacci's decision last week to increase education aid by $20 million statewide in the budget year starting July 1 might stave off severe sports reductions in some districts, including Portland, South Portland and Scarborough.
However, district officials are expecting budget troubles to continue through fiscal 2011-12, and they're taking steps to further reduce sports costs and find other funding sources, including booster groups and student fees.
"Like everything else, sports are under the microscope," said David Doyle, superintendent of Scarborough schools, where a $1.5 million reduction in state aid is anticipated in 2010-11.
The Scarborough School Committee hopes to reduce the district's $750,000 sports budget by $250,000 in the coming year, Doyle said.
The committee is talking about re-establishing a pay-to-play policy that had been abandoned in recent years and asking booster groups to fund more teams. There's also a proposal to streamline several booster groups into one fund-raising organization to support district athletics overall.
In South Portland, school officials have dropped a proposal for severe sports cuts -- for the time being -- after learning last week that the district will get an additional $622,000 in state aid in the coming year, said Superintendent Suzanne Godin.
The school committee there had been considering one proposal to significantly reduce middle school and freshman high school sports, and another proposal to raise $120,000 through a pay-to-play program.
Still, South Portland's state aid allocation will be $1 million short, so the school committee plans to eliminate nine assistant coaches. A total of 25 positions are targeted for reduction in a budget plan that would require no tax increase, Godin said. The coach cuts would save $23,150.
Looking ahead, the school committee plans to appoint a task force to study the pay-to-play issue because federal funding anticipated in 2010-11 likely won't be available in 2011-12, Godin said.
"We do anticipate having a gap we'll need to fill in the future," she said. "It's really taking a two- or three-year view of our financial situation. Each year we balance cuts we need to make with how many students will be affected. The question will be: Can we continue to offer the depth and breadth of sports programs we now have?"
Portland Superintendent Jim Morse considered including a pay-to-play fee schedule in his $89.3 million budget proposal, but he said it wouldn't make financial sense. About 50 percent of Portland's 7,000 students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches and would be eligible to have the district subsidize their sports fees.
Portland school officials also are looking for a new way to increase community support for school athletics, similar to the charitable foundation that raises money for sports programs in Boston public schools.
For now, Portland's middle and high schools are bracing for significant changes in their sports programs. Savings would come from reduced coaching, transportation and officiating costs.
There's a chance that some of the sports cuts could be restored when school officials decide what to do with the additional $1.4 million in state aid that Baldacci allocated to Portland last week, but many people and programs are vying for a seat on that lifeboat.
The Portland School Committee could restore some of the 66 teaching positions targeted for elimination or use the money to offset an estimated 22-cent increase in the tax rate.
Sports advocates hope athletics cuts will get fair consideration. They worry that the district will lose the ability to develop scholar-athletes if responsibility is passed to community sports programs.
"We believe these to be very deep and very painful," said Mike Johnson, principal of Portland High School. "But our varsity and junior varsity coaches have guaranteed that they will provide a quality opportunity for freshmen to compete."
Staff Writer Kelley Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6328 or at:
kbouchard@pressherald.com
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40 COMMENTS
mohonk said...
Whenever you want to look like you are trying to cut the budget, it is wise to say you have to eliminate sports. That fires up the parents and you can almost certainly be assured of a tax increase so that you will not have to put the poor little kids on the sidewalk. Never do they first eliminate waste and redundency. Shame on the school administrators.
March 8, 2010 at 5:37 AM Report abuse
taptout said...
Why sports? How about cutting some of the bureaucracy and the overpaid specialists.
March 8, 2010 at 6:57 AM Report abuse
middleone said...
Who cares if they cut sports? I'm more concerned about students graduating prepared for college or careers. The highest performing countries don't even have sports in the schools, that is pretty much an American thing.
March 8, 2010 at 7:06 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
lets see the need to cut $6 million from education. The choice--- cut academics or cut sports?? The choice is easy save sports.Taptout do you read? or just post???
March 8, 2010 at 8:15 AM Report abuse
gotogoal said...
taptout- when you're not even doing the basics in academics, you want the SCHOOLS to maintain the status quo on SPORTS. Let me see - what is more important to their future....adding 1 plus 1 OR being able to slam dunk? The other issue....maybe it's time other communities follow Portland's lead....like Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cape, and etc.... Perhaps the state needs to move a little money around so that all communities share the pain....DEMOCRACY..is supposed to be what's for the greater good of the KAJORITY and NOT for the greater good of the HAVE's.
March 8, 2010 at 8:27 AM Report abuse
charles said...
This will be the best thing to happen to sports in Portland. The middle school programs with the exception of a few, are pathetic
March 8, 2010 at 8:57 AM Report abuse
MommaE said...
I wonder if it is possible to have teams where the students from all three middle schools could try out. Keep one team, have tryouts from all middle schools. Students still have the opportunity if there is no community program available. Just a thought.
March 8, 2010 at 9:13 AM Report abuse
RHS said...
- what is more important to their future....adding 1 plus 1 OR being able to slam dunk? - The sad part is about this statement, they will make far more money if they can slam dunk. The money that athletes make is insans. Maybe some of these athletes should "give back" to their school communities and support these programs for future over paid athletes??? Just a thought.
March 8, 2010 at 9:25 AM Report abuse
sapereaude1 said...
There is no reason for taxpayers to support what is essentially a very selective non-academic school program. European countries, most of which have a much better education system than ours, leave their extramural sports support to local businesses. No taxpayer dollars should be invested in programs that are not open to all taxpayers' children.
March 8, 2010 at 9:34 AM Report abuse
Nan said...
Do they really need this extensive a sports program at the middle school level? My elementary school had no sports program at all. When I got to Jr. High (Grade 7 and 8)there was one interscholastic sports team: boys basketball. Freshman boys also had basketball, everywhere else, freshmen were generally on JV teams at the high school. How about focusing on academics for once? Very few if any of these kids are going to be pro athletes, but they're all going to need a basic education to get by in life.
March 8, 2010 at 9:38 AM Report abuse
homeboy said...
Give the parents a chance, and they will find a way to put these athletic teams on if they want them. The schools can serve as the coordinating arm for the whole thing if needed. Plenty of activities go on that have nothing to do with the schools, yet they survive year after year.
March 8, 2010 at 9:41 AM Report abuse
EdShelby said...
Sports account for about 1% of the school budget in most towns. If the cuts were administered equitably Portland should cut about $40,000 not $388,000.
March 8, 2010 at 9:51 AM Report abuse
wollydevil said...
EdShelby All the sports programs are more than 40,000. Add every thing together. The cost of each sports program ?
March 8, 2010 at 10:01 AM Report abuse
wollydevil said...
Ed Shelby You better go back an reread it slowly.
March 8, 2010 at 10:04 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Why should the schools duplicate what rec. departments, the Y, and various leagues have done for decades? ...enough of this monopolistic takeover by the BLOB!
March 8, 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Why should the government schools duplicate what the Rec. dept., the Y, various leagues, etc. have done for decades? If parents want professional prep programs, let them pay for it.
March 8, 2010 at 10:26 AM Report abuse
SoPoYo said...
Sports are an important part of a child's education. For some kids, the exercise and activity of school sponsored sports helps them do better in the classroom. I know that my child is a far better student and far more focused during a sports season.
March 8, 2010 at 10:34 AM Report abuse
RobertAT said...
Schools should promote healthy living and active lifestyles for all kids, not just the few who are athletes. The sports programs sap money and focus from a system that is stuck in the 19th century.
March 8, 2010 at 11:27 AM Report abuse
NickName123 said...
its the same song & dance to scare us into supporting further tax increases - - - even though we are nearly the highest tax state already. Look at NJ's new governor's recent speech - - he points out state union employees and teachers that are going to receive 30 years of pension & free health care for 20 years of employment. It is this greed that is the issue....why is the Portland Press Herald not pointing this out??? Just like the big unions go on strike in Greece and shut down their entire country...selfish greed by the left is behind this.
March 8, 2010 at 11:28 AM Report abuse
Cadred said...
For years the arts have suffered cuts while sports programs have not. In my humble opinion, it's about time.
March 8, 2010 at 11:28 AM Report abuse
JazzBox said...
middleone said... Who cares if they cut sports? I'm more concerned about students graduating prepared for college or careers. The highest performing countries don't even have sports in the schools, that is pretty much an American thing. ---------------------------- They also have longer school days, and longer school years. I still don't understand why that hasn't happened here in the states.
March 8, 2010 at 11:44 AM Report abuse
Dhiff said...
Sports is picked on because of the high profile given in the media. I understand that many people did not play sports, but the fact of the matter is sports keeps some kids in school. Worried about drop-out rates? Don't cut sports. Want a real-life application to be taught in schools? Don't cut sports. Sorry to those who didn't or don't play, but in this day of childhood obesity, drop-out problems, and social skills in decline, sports is a must have. AND...it only takes up 3-4% of the budget. Go figure!
March 8, 2010 at 11:53 AM Report abuse
Cadred said...
Sports in not a must-have, for those who want to participate there are many venues. School should be focused on academics, not soccer.
March 8, 2010 at 12:11 PM Report abuse
ModerateOne said...
NickName123 said..., Comparing retiree benefits for N.J. and Maine makes Maine look fiscally conservative. Look on Maine Open Gov's website and look at what retirees get. Compared to Ma., Ct, or N.J. it is very low. The Boston Herald has a website detailing retirees in Ma.; you will see that the payout is far more. As for benefits, the Boston Globe ran a series last week detailing health benefits of retirees. Maine isn't even close. If the PPH did an article "exposing" retiree benefits for Maine's state and local employees it would only point out how reasonably we get off as taxpayers.
March 8, 2010 at 12:17 PM Report abuse
SEB22 said...
Well said Dhiff, sports teaches kids leadership, teamwork and how to compete. Three pretty big qualities that kids will need throughout life. Theres a difference between learning these skills while sitting on your butt in the classroom or being on a field and actively applying these skills. People need to have a competitive nature to make it through life, but people these days seem to be shying away from teaching or exposing kids to competition, I don't know why. People complain when there kid doesn't make the team or doesn't get enough playing time, come on are you serious?. When your kid goes for a job interview and doesn't get the job are you going to call the company and tell them "it's not fair" and "timmy should have an equal chance"? Life isn't fair, there are winners and losers at everything in life, you win some and you lose some, kids need to be exposed to that. Why hide that exposure from them? Sports shouldn't be cut.
March 8, 2010 at 12:27 PM Report abuse
mefromOOB said...
SO the Governor is on wrong to NOT raise any taxes. He will cut education and health spending to achieve his budget. What can the local towns do to balance their BUDGET. Oh I know, lets not raise taxes and not send any money to AUGUSTA.
March 8, 2010 at 12:46 PM Report abuse
AR5 said...
This is a no-brainer. Cut the sports to save money.
March 8, 2010 at 1:08 PM Report abuse
Marcella76 said...
Dhiff . . . couldn't have said it better myself. But, unfortunately, too few are of our mindset. There is a lot more to education, to becoming an adult, than just what you can learn from a book. Athletics and extracurriculars being considered for the axe teach perseverance, time management, teamwork.
March 8, 2010 at 2:03 PM Report abuse
charles said...
The majority of the sports that are being cut have alternatives in the community that most kids play anyway. For example, the football program at the Middle school level can be replaced with existing leagues. As for Baseball, many of these kids play on 3 teams. So, this will pare that down some. The just need to keep the sports such as Indoor track and Field Hocley that don't have alternatives in the schools.
March 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM Report abuse
Eiron said...
Lee Crocker, principal of Moore Middle School in Portland. "In these financial times, we simply can't afford to be duplicating programs" Why at ANYTIME are programs being duplicated?
March 8, 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse
AR5 said...
Nobody is denying the benefits that come with playing sports. However, it doesn't need to be paid for out of the school budget. Parents can pay or kids can actually play baseball for free (shocking, isn't it). My taxes should not go up to pay for sports.
March 8, 2010 at 3:52 PM Report abuse
SEB22 said...
Tax raises are going to happen, I would much rather them go up for kids sports as opposed to, ohh lets see..paying for someone elses rent
March 8, 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse
Cadred said...
In that vein, you would prefer to see someone be homeless than not be able to play softball. Interesting priorities.
March 8, 2010 at 4:44 PM Report abuse
AR5 said...
Cadred......... ; )
March 8, 2010 at 4:50 PM Report abuse
AR5 said...
SEB22, I have shocking news for you. Kids can play softball for free. They don't need my tax money to do it. And, Cadred is spot on......nice priorities. But, since that is your view, feel free to donate money to a kids team and not to people in need, but don't expect me to pay for it.
March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM Report abuse
SEB22 said...
sports teaches kids leadership, teamwork and a competitive nature among many other attributes. it's mind boggling for people to want to cut sports when in fact they teach LIFE lessons more so than education. Education is a HUGE part in our children's growth, but you can only learn so much from books. Education will teach you the facts of life whereas sports will teach you qualities of life. i'm not trying to argue with anyone, but everyone talks about the world's future, why not focus on it.
March 9, 2010 at 12:08 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
If you have a high school for the arts; why not one for sports? Specialized education recognizes that one school can't meet every expectation, yet one school just might be better for kids with talent and professional expectations; think of it as a voc. tech. for jocks and jockettes. This way you can cut the sports budget in all schools and take the bulk of the money saved and invest it in one regional sports school that combines middle and high schools and blends the curriculum into practical applications involving sports, i.e. nutrition, statistics, physiology, broadcasting, etc.
March 9, 2010 at 9:16 AM Report abuse
JazzBox said...
Why even bother worrying about schools? These kids won't be around by the end of the next news cycle, anyway... besides, there must be something good to watch on Cable.
March 9, 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse
JazzBox said...
Why even bother worrying about schools? These kids won't be around by the end of the next news cycle, anyway... besides, there must be something good to watch on Cable.
March 9, 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse
SilentK_ said...
Pay to play if certain income restrictions are met. Otherwise have big old bake sale. Intramurals can teach the exact same lessons as extravegant statewide programs. Don't totally cut, but rethink how sports (and all extracur. activities) are approached.
March 9, 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse