vision2020
Re: School cuts...
Yes, that figure is available, as are the figures for every other athletic activity, (including varsity, JV, and no-cut programs) and drama, band, academic competitions, and school clubs. All those are part of what is referred to as the "activities" budget of the district.
The board of trustees and administration will be considering the cost of all activities, including (but of course not limited to) varsity football, which by the way appears not to be the highest cost activity in the district based on a per- student-served analysis. Certain assumptions have to be made in making an appropriate analysis of the figures, so the raw data in its current form may, or may not, be a fair basis from which to compare. But they will all be considered in setting next year's budget.
The total cost of activities varies from year to year (for a variety of reasons) but we can say that the total cost of all activities in the district in 99-00 was about 2.8% of the total budget while in 00-01 it was about 3.9%. Well over 1000 students were served (including duplication of a student who participated in more than one activity). While each activity should be analyzed on its own merits of the benefits it provides and the expense of offering the program, it is worth noting that there are many studies and a wealth of literature generated from them that show that on average, children perform better in the classroom, learn academic, physical, and social skills from, and are more likely to stay in school when they are involved in out-of- class activities (ask some of those who are active in the Moscow's Promise group for some of their sources, just as one example). The activities directly benefit and involve children.
I do not mean to suggest that the district should or even can retain every activity in 02-03 that is funded this school year. I just want to point out that a reasoned analysis of benefits and costs is necessary in order to come up with a sensible conclusion.
I expect that the best figures available concerning activities costs will be presented to the board at the Dec. 10 budget workshop meeting (open to the public of course). I don't know if the information will be in a format readily amenable to email attachment, but if you would like a copy, email me and I will see that you receive one if it can be sent that way.
Thanks for raising the issue and for your interest in the district's budgeting tasks.
Mike Curley
(Chairman, Board of Trustees MSD 281)
On 30 Nov 01, at 11:01, Brian Dennis wrote:
Date forwarded: Fri, 30 Nov 2001 11:02:27 -0800 (PST)
Date sent: Fri, 30 Nov 2001 11:01:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Brian Dennis <brian@uidaho.edu>
To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Subject: Re: School cuts...
Forwarded by: vision2020@moscow.com
Visionaries,
Could someone knowledgeable post a figure here for us: the total net
annual amount spent by the Moscow School District on football. This
should include coaches, equipment, travel, maintainance, insurance, etc.,
minus the income from gate receipts & other sources. Jr High as well as
High Sch.
I suspect the figure would buy a considerable amount of science education.
I dare this community to put varsity sports on the table.
Brian Dennis
Professor of Wildlife and Statistics
University of Idaho
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