District will reduce athletic fund by $100,000, will look to
fundraising efforts
HOLLISTER
The San Benito High School District announced a budget cut of $100,000 to the athletic fund on Wednesday night as part of a $1.8 million shortfall for the 2010-11 school year.
Superintendent Stan Rose said the cut will come from the district’s contribution, which pays for coaches, officials and clerical work, among other things, according to the SBHS website.
Director of Finance Debra Fisher was not available at press time to discuss what exactly will be cut from the district’s contribution, although Rose said “most of the expenditures are in paying for coaches.”
“We need to reduce expenses in athletics by $100,000,” Rose added. “But we want the same level of teams and coaches and so forth.
“In order to do that, we need to raise $100,000 through fundraising. We’re actively pursuing it right now, to keep that same level of sports. We know how important the programs are and we don’t want to cut them. If we don’t get that support, we’re gonna have to look at making those reductions in a year from now.”
The district has a goal of reaching $100,000 in funds by December. In January, the proposed state budget for the upcoming year will be released.
The cuts are part of a districtwide “Budget Gap Elimination Plan” that was announced by Rose in February. The plan included a list of cuts totaling $1.5 million with $300,000 pulled from reserves.
Since then, the school set up a donation fund known as “Team Baler: Balers Supporting Baler Athletes,” where community members can donate directly to the school’s athletic program. Donations can be made to either the school or the Baler Backers Athletic Organization, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit.
