FCPS budget issues - why don't they just dump sports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should dump aap and all oob busing.

Not a very big bang for the buck. The students in AAP still need teachers- so no decrease in expenses there. They still need to be bussed- so local ES and MS would have additional buses- it might make a small difference, but it would be minimal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In light of the budget crisis, I ask, why doesn't FCPS just dump extracurricular sports altogether? I realize this would enrage parents, but frankly, we are guaranteed a free public education, not free extracurricular sports. (And yes, I know parents pay bills, raise money, etc for sports).

It doesn't serve the core academic purpose of the school system. It costs a lot of money in personnel, facilities, equipment, bussing. And lord knows there are TONS of opportunities for sports in this area. It's not like the only place you can play lacrosse, swim, or cheer is at school...

Tell me why this isn't a plausible idea!

I agree, there are private and rec alternatives and they already did it for the MS decades ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should dump aap and all oob busing.

Not a very big bang for the buck. The students in AAP still need teachers- so no decrease in expenses there. They still need to be bussed- so local ES and MS would have additional buses- it might make a small difference, but it would be minimal.

The school board just looked at this and the cost differential for bussing was zero.

[Anonymous]

At our school, the administration should dump the idea of expanding the parking lot.

[Anonymous]

What budget crisis? The budget goes up every single year.

[Anonymous]

The school board just looked at this and the cost differential for bussing was zero.

If that is true, it appears that they have absolutely no common sense. There is not any way that could be the cost differential.

Please post the source information.

[Anonymous]

Not a very big bang for the buck. The students in AAP still need teachers- so no decrease in expenses there. They still need to be bussed- so local ES and MS would have additional buses- it might make a small difference, but it would be minimal.

No. It is much more difficult to balance class enrollment--resulting in large classes for some and small for others. Unintended consequence. Little value for the buck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Not a very big bang for the buck. The students in AAP still need teachers- so no decrease in expenses there. They still need to be bussed- so local ES and MS would have additional buses- it might make a small difference, but it would be minimal.

No. It is much more difficult to balance class enrollment--resulting in large classes for some and small for others. Unintended consequence. Little value for the buck.

There is still a state mandated advanced program requirement- so the balancing out of classroom would still exist- and more so- if the students went back to their home schools.

[Anonymous]

Sports do have activity fees. I pay it. There are also fundraising requirements for the sports/activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The school board just looked at this and the cost differential for bussing was zero.

If that is true, it appears that they have absolutely no common sense. There is not any way that could be the cost differential.

Please post the source information.

I believe it was in a recent budget worksession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They will not get rid of sports. That would make the school district less desirable. I didn't do sports growing up and my kids are not athletic, but I know it's a big deal to many families. I also enjoyed going to the football games in high school, they fostered school pride/spirit. I assume you'd also get rid of marching band? Charging a fee would be a much better option.

Yep, marching band too! (OP here)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should dump aap and all oob busing.

OP here - I actually think they should stop paying IB/AP testing fees too... but THAT is not the focus of this conversation. This is about HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS!

I do think there would be an implication in that if facilities weren't maintained, they would lose some community use fee revenue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will not get rid of sports. That would make the school district less desirable. I didn't do sports growing up and my kids are not athletic, but I know it's a big deal to many families. I also enjoyed going to the football games in high school, they fostered school pride/spirit. I assume you'd also get rid of marching band? Charging a fee would be a much better option.

Yep, marching band too! (OP here)

I spend 1000/yr to have my kid in marching band. Trust me, fees are attached to band.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will not get rid of sports. That would make the school district less desirable. I didn't do sports growing up and my kids are not athletic, but I know it's a big deal to many families. I also enjoyed going to the football games in high school, they fostered school pride/spirit. I assume you'd also get rid of marching band? Charging a fee would be a much better option.

Yep, marching band too! (OP here)

I spend 1000/yr to have my kid in marching band. Trust me, fees are attached to band.

OP here. I say this as a parent with an older elementary school band student whom I fully expect will be interested in marching band... I'm fine with parents footing the bill (though surely I will swallow those words in a few years), but my point is that it does not serve the core academic purposes. I think they should absolutely have band/orchestra as an option in school. If we are truly facing a budget crisis (and I think we may be, again...) then I think we need to look at everything that does not serve the academic purpose of the school. Supporting marching band.... and every other sport... does not do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dump the illegals enforce citizenship requirements. Now is the time to do this since we have a president willing to stand-up against the flood of illegals destroying our country.

Again... I am talking about SPORTS.