For the second time in three years, a possible large budget deficit at San Benito High might be lethal to the school’s athletic department, as athletic director Tod Thatcher and school leaders prepare for the results of November’s school bond proposals by the state.
If it fails, funding issues could trickle down to the already budget-strapped Balers. An expected $2 million cut would be needed, leaving the athletic department as a partial causality. If it wasn’t for the 2008 creation of the Baler Backers, a non-profit booster program that donates money to the department, though, it could be worse, Thatcher said.
“Athletics are always capable of having money held back,” he said. “This year, that’s to be determined. In last two years, we’ve finished both years in the negative. We didn’t bring in as much.”
But the Baler Backers’ donations the last two years, which total $40,000, “have allowed us not to cut anything.” Thatcher said.
That could change, though, if some things continue.
For the first time since Thatcher took over the A.D. position in 2004, the football team’s revenues plummeted by $9,000 or 20 percent of its usual income. The drop was tied to last year’s schedule, which included home games against Alvarez and Alisal, but it was still worrisome.
“Looking at the schedule now, I expect it to get better this year,” Thatcher said. “Football was very successful, but we probably – since I’ve been the athletic director – had our worst run. And it really comes down to who we played at home … that impacts our revenue. A lot of outside things affected how much money we brought in instead of winning or losing.”
On average a good game brings in nearly $12,000 worth of income, and the football team is the “No. 1 single biggest stream of revenue,” for the school, Thatcher said. With the drop – before donations from the Baler Backers were used – the department ended the season $16,000 short of its projected budget. Only the booster donations allowed the program to come in even.
“I don’t think the community in general sees that,” he said. “They don’t see a shiny new scoreboard or a brand new set of uniforms and something they could put their hands on. They don’t see where all that money is going. But in reality we’ve operated in the red, but because of those major contributions we’ve been able to sustain are programs. Really, it’s been a blessing.”
With a budget topping $500,000, which includes more than 40 coach stipends paid by the district, Thatcher is limited to what he can do. When equipment breaks and needs to be replaced, the program relies on the booster contributions.
“I’ve been explicitly directed to not go over budget,” he said. “It can’t happen – there is no money cover it. It’s really fluid every year. If the Baler Backers didn’t come through with those two donations, we would be operating in the red and at that point, the district isn’t in a position to fund us operating in a negative.”
The Baler Backers have been the program’s support system, Thatcher said, and needs to continue to be that.
“We need more of the same,” he said. “I think that the general community needs to know the efforts of the Baler Backers and all the fundraising that’s going on. If those things don’t continue generating significant funds for all the programs, we can’t make ends meat.”
He continued: It really is people digging into their pockets and being generous with donations, that really has allowed us to keep the same level of programs.”
Eventually, Thatcher hopes enough money is raised to improve the aging facilities like the track, football field, swimming pool and wrestling room, he said.
“We are hoping for the best,” he said.
The athletic season began Friday. The first round of games begin the last week of August.
