To The Editor: Don't cut programs
Don't cut programs
To the Editor:
At a recent baseball game it was brought to the attention of many that the Marion-Florence board of education had decided to cut the baseball/softball program at Marion High School. Apparently, their idea is that our players could join a team in a surrounding area.
Did the board of education ask any questions before they did this?
Our kids don't want to play for someone else's school. Wouldn't it cost to bus our players to and from another school? Will kids get to choose which school they play for? Will they have a choice? If athletes are bussed, will they be let out of class early to make practice time? How will they get home?
Did members of the board of education ask coaches to take a cut in pay to help fund the program? Maybe they would rather do that than lose the program.
Maybe the board could ask parents to help — taking kids to and from games, omitting the cost of a bus and driver; helping pay for equipment or upkeep of the field. Maybe the city would lower the rent on the field.
Some other things the board might have considered: Not all kids have an easy time making good grades. For some, extracurricular activities are the reason they stay in school. Knowing they have to keep their grades up in order to participate is an incentive. For some, it's also the only way they get into college.
Next year's freshman boys played on CVL All-Star teams that went to state competition three years in a row. The class behind them also has competed at state. While that is a great accomplishment, these kids are looking forward to being "Marion Warriors" with the upperclassmen.
Knowing there won't be a baseball/softball program may decrease the numbers in the summer ball program.
We understand budget cuts, but can't it come from someone other than the students? In the story in the Marion County Record that reported on the board meeting, someone asked why everyone couldn't take a pay cut — not only teachers, but administrators. They are some of the highest-paid individuals in the city — the superintendent's salary is more than $80,000 plus benefits; the three principals earn from $56,000 to $65,000 plus benefits. Even the board secretary/treasurer (clerk) has a salary of $45,000 and benefits.
Is it all about money? Don't teachers and others involved in the school work for the students? We don't have answers to cutting budgets but we do know that the more things taken away is only making the other schools look better. Will that help enrollment?
Cutting the baseball/softball program is not the solution. If these kids aren't participating, how do you know they will go out for track or golf? What will they be doing? Will they be hanging out on Main Street?
Good people, good teachers, and good coaches are leaving our town and school system. The board should be making decisions that benefit our kids — not decisions to send them somewhere else.
Mike and Diane Jeffrey, Randy and Kodi Kelsey, Allan and Dot Richmond, Ronnie and Shelli Hardey, Jami and Stan Williams, Tena Waner, Mike Carroll, Laura Legg, Tracey Long, Stacey Pedersen, Shawn Voth, Scott Heidebrecht, Russ and Marci Cain, Alex (Casey) Case, Mary Rogers, Marvin and Helen Bernhardt, Trevor Smith, Tyler Smith, Joel Thomas, Doug Regnier, Greta Lee Smith, Patty Putter, Dan Baldwin, Theresa Cady, Laurie Secrest, Clyde Secrest, Kathy Ehrlich, Brenda Dawson, Jo Hett
