Post by EagleDad on Mar 13, 2012 9:50:05 GMT -6
If the debate here is to choose between banishing an entire mainstream sport for all boys and girls across the middle school level, or to reduce slightly the number weight lifting classes for middleschool football players, I can't believe that this is even being debated.
Are we, as a society that messed up?
napervillesun.suntimes.com/11244807-417/indian-prairie-soccer-families-take-case-to-board.html
Indian Prairie soccer families take case to board
By Erika Wurst ewurst@stmedianetwork.com March 12, 2012 9:38PM
Reprints
Updated: March 13, 2012 9:31AM
Frustrated soccer moms, dads and players crowded the Indian Prairie School Board meeting on Monday evening, hoping to make their voices heard: The proposed elimination of middle school soccer is no solution to the district’s budget woes.
They flooded board members’ in-boxes with creative cuts and alternative solutions; and they’ve come close to prevailing. The information they received Monday night was far different than the news they got last month. Today, their program is still on the table.
On Feb. 28, Superintendent Kathy Birkett sent a letter to families outlining the potential budget cuts facing the district. The solutions could include additional staff reductions, student fee increases and an extra eye operational efficiency.
But there is one cut that these particular parents were really peeved about.
Abandoning the district’s middle school soccer program will save the district $50,000, and it’s money the district needs, Birkett said in the letter. More than $30 million has been shaved from the district’s budget in the last three years. The cuts have materialized in increased class sizes, higher fees, salary freezes and the elimination of 145 certified positions. Another $8.6 million is expected to be cut from the upcoming budget.
But these parents are asking, “Why focus on the elimination of soccer when so many other sports will remain unaffected?”
Traveling soccer can cost thousands of dollars, and the cut will affect about 280 young players, said soccer mom Christie Kruchten, who spoke at the meeting. She wore a black-and-white-striped shirt and stood in front of an audience of sign-waving soccer fans.
Kruchten launched an online petition to gain the public’s attention. She accumulated more than 400 signatures. One middle school student collected more than 100 of his own at school — and the board has received more than 50 emails from ambitious residents offering solutions.
The motivated soccer community is willing to come together to make the program work, parents said.
“We’re highly organized at creating car pools,” Kruchten, the mother of two boys, said with a smile.
Another parent told the board to not underestimate the dedication of this soccer family.
“You have parents who are here willing to do whatever they can do,” the Gregory Middle School dad said. “You have a community here willing to step up.” Middle school soccer was the first sport his son has participated in, and the effect of the experience has been amazing.
“He came out of experience a better person,” the emotional father said. “He was able to manage his time in ways I’ve been telling him to for years. That was just a side benefit he got out of playing soccer. I would hate for others to lose that opportunity.”
Their fingers are crossed that that won’t happen. The proposal to eliminate one middle school football weight class could keep soccer alive, but that option is still on the table.
The board will take action on April 2.
Are we, as a society that messed up?
napervillesun.suntimes.com/11244807-417/indian-prairie-soccer-families-take-case-to-board.html
Indian Prairie soccer families take case to board
By Erika Wurst ewurst@stmedianetwork.com March 12, 2012 9:38PM
Reprints
Updated: March 13, 2012 9:31AM
Frustrated soccer moms, dads and players crowded the Indian Prairie School Board meeting on Monday evening, hoping to make their voices heard: The proposed elimination of middle school soccer is no solution to the district’s budget woes.
They flooded board members’ in-boxes with creative cuts and alternative solutions; and they’ve come close to prevailing. The information they received Monday night was far different than the news they got last month. Today, their program is still on the table.
On Feb. 28, Superintendent Kathy Birkett sent a letter to families outlining the potential budget cuts facing the district. The solutions could include additional staff reductions, student fee increases and an extra eye operational efficiency.
But there is one cut that these particular parents were really peeved about.
Abandoning the district’s middle school soccer program will save the district $50,000, and it’s money the district needs, Birkett said in the letter. More than $30 million has been shaved from the district’s budget in the last three years. The cuts have materialized in increased class sizes, higher fees, salary freezes and the elimination of 145 certified positions. Another $8.6 million is expected to be cut from the upcoming budget.
But these parents are asking, “Why focus on the elimination of soccer when so many other sports will remain unaffected?”
Traveling soccer can cost thousands of dollars, and the cut will affect about 280 young players, said soccer mom Christie Kruchten, who spoke at the meeting. She wore a black-and-white-striped shirt and stood in front of an audience of sign-waving soccer fans.
Kruchten launched an online petition to gain the public’s attention. She accumulated more than 400 signatures. One middle school student collected more than 100 of his own at school — and the board has received more than 50 emails from ambitious residents offering solutions.
The motivated soccer community is willing to come together to make the program work, parents said.
“We’re highly organized at creating car pools,” Kruchten, the mother of two boys, said with a smile.
Another parent told the board to not underestimate the dedication of this soccer family.
“You have parents who are here willing to do whatever they can do,” the Gregory Middle School dad said. “You have a community here willing to step up.” Middle school soccer was the first sport his son has participated in, and the effect of the experience has been amazing.
“He came out of experience a better person,” the emotional father said. “He was able to manage his time in ways I’ve been telling him to for years. That was just a side benefit he got out of playing soccer. I would hate for others to lose that opportunity.”
Their fingers are crossed that that won’t happen. The proposal to eliminate one middle school football weight class could keep soccer alive, but that option is still on the table.
The board will take action on April 2.
