While I understand budget cuts I feel the board needs to look at other areas to cut besides JV sports. One suggestion would be to cut  Activities Directors at the high schools. The various activities could be distributed among the teaching staff and parent organizations.  This would be a savings of around $800,000.  ( 16 school activity directors x  average $50,000 year salary) This would be more than enough to allow JV sports to continue.

Does anyone know the email addresses of the KHSD board members?????

oh great idea..throw more homes and families out on the street without a job so a bunch of kids can play football..bad thought justathought..i suggest you keepittoyourself..and no Im not connected to the school system..just the human race...

Dropping the Activities Director and having teachers pick up the slack?!?!  Come on.  How many teachers are going to pick up the duties of Prom, Formal, rallies (skipping class to do it), food sale days, student store and hiring someone to work it, 30+ clubs and organizations, graduation, parent nights, testing, ASB meetings, grad night, other school visitations, and the other daily activities that a full time activities director does (some aren't even full-time, some are half teacher/ half director).  Teachers already volunteer for club advising, activity chaperoning, and various other activities, let alone having to organize the entire student system.

Regarding the JV sports.  Its a terrible time and many will be hurt and effected by this.  Not just the hundreds of students throughout the district, but also the coaches who coach all these sports.  The JV coaches will most likely become the new F/S coaches while the F/S coaches will be released or taken in by the remaining teams.  The KHSD has been here before.  When I played sports up at Highland in the 80's, we didn't have a JV program in the district then.  When times got better (financially), the extra level was added.  Unfortunately, times are bad again and the drastic, and very unpopular measure has been taken.  Word is that things are going to get worse once the state passes its budget for this year and again, worse for the 2010-11 school year.  This is just the tip of the ice-burg.. we could see the F/S program being eliminated too.. we hope not.

This is just another cut in the thousands that are occuring througout the state and in all areas of life.  JV sports will be back one day, I just hope we can work through it now and the kids still having opportunities to play either at their school or in club sports (that unfortunately exclude many due to costs).  Tough times, sad times.

The belts have to tighten for sure, but I can tell you from first hand experience that we will lose a lot of kids from school over this. Especially some of the poorer schools. Many of these kids don't have a good home life and their real family are their coaches and team mates. A good coach gives a student a sense of belonging, a sense of pride, and a sense of responsibility to their team mates and coaches. It may in fact, be the BEST class they can take for helping in their social skills and learning life lessons. It is truly sad to me, and the value of sports goes beyond a simple extra curricular activity. But what are ya gonna do?

Teachers are the coaches. If they cut anymore teachers the students are going to be teaching themselves. Some districts up North have canceled all district sponsored sports. The students have to earn the money for sports programs. Education is more important than sports. I work for the Kern High School District and they have cut so many classified staff that it's terrifying. Next year the schools will be alot dirtyer, the students are going to be fighting to get the classes that they need to graduate. Whats more important, education or sports?

All sports, other than the regular physical education classes that are part of the school curriculum, should be eliminated.  Activities Directors?????  Why are they needed?  It takes someone 40 hours a week to figure out activities for our students?  Hogwash!  Get rid of the Activities Directors and let the Principals and Vice Principals arrange activities like they used to do in
"the olden days", before unions began to dictate how our schools are run!  There are lots of other areas to save money, too.  Get rid of the free transportation on a school bus.  Return to neighborhood schools so  students can walk to school.  For those who insist on driving their cars to school, charge to park.  These ideas are just starters.

Good thoughts, everyone. Some of those money-saving ideas might really work, and some are really out-dated (sorry, but in a city that has grown to this size, it's a pipe dream to think we could have everyone living within walking distance of schools). I also don't think anyone is saying sports are more important than education in the classroom. Many of us just believe that sports are a valuable part of that classroom education.

What does everyone think of having students pay a small fee to participate in sports (or any extra-curricular program)? Those who couldn't afford it would receive help, like they do with free or assisted-pay lunch, and the district would make some money to defray the cost of the sports.

I'm not sure how the schools work here, but coming from a FL background, I remember when our HS football team ( which usually had at best a 3-9 record) would spend thousands a year on new uniforms, yet those of us in the award winning band program (one of the best in the State) had to hold fundraiser after fundraiser just to ensure that we'd be able to repair our equipment.

If Kern Co. schools work in the same fashion, maybe it's time to take money earned from booster clubs and put it into a general pool to be used by all sports?

I agree with FSU. If you want to play you should have to pay. The whole High School experience is supposed to be a time to grow. But this State is broke people. BROKE. As a parent I want to the school system to help me stimulate my child's mind. I can always pay a small fee to get him into sports. They need to earn the money for activites. And I'm not talking candy bars where the student doesnt see any of the money. 

It is, unfortunately, illegal to have students pay for any school activity where a product is mandatory. ie; uniforms, textbooks, etc.  Heck, by law, schools are supposed to provide pencils and paper as well, think of the cost of that if it was forced on the school districts.

Now, if a team or group had a fundraiser, those funds could be used for what that group would need.  Although, players could not be penalized if they don't raise funds.  fundraising is already cut-throat as it is.

Even the thought of selling outfield fence ads, or ads as patches on the jerseys would not be allowed since any party  wanting to buy an ad would have to be allowed to do so.  From Stinsons's stationary to Deja Vu.  So that route is blocked.  Its tough being a public institution.

why dont you go as LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for the money?  He just dropped MILLIONS of dollars to throw a parade for million and billionaires

seems he's in a giving mood

I believe the money — at least the great majority of it — for the Lakers parade came from private donors in the end, not from the city.

Those are good points, ferretnaura, though with the way things are going, some of those laws might have to be changed. I mean, lunch might as well be mandatory, and we still force students to pay for that, at least those whose families can afford it.

it cost more than 2 million dollars to rent staples center, the coliseum and to have that parade.  2 million dollars doesnt even cover the overtime that will be paid to over 2000 city police officers for their time that day

any way you slice it, it cost the taxpayers money. 

Here's an L.A. Times story that says directly "[Villaraigosa] said some of the city's wealthiest residents and an Indian tribe had contributed $850,000 to cover the city's police, fire and public works costs for Wednesday's parade ..."

Perhaps he's not telling the whole truth there, but it's hard for one of us to sit here and estimate how much the overtime to police officers will cost.

villaraigosa has been caught in many a lie during his tenure as LA mayor.  while that could be another blog entirely....lets just say it wasnt a good financial decision, especially during the current economic climate

one thing to think about...from beginning to end of that parade....the man hours involved, the equipment, the cleanup in the aftermath....the hurt to business closing down downtown LA for that.  how much business was lost?  tax revenue?

i say, in the long run, it cost the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, when the Laker org could have fronted the whole bill

all this, while our local schools are forced to make real financial decisions.  Heck, even LA unified had to lay off over 2400 teachers, 9000 total workers

Interesting discussion could be had there, to be sure, but let's hold it right there. I'm closing this subthread because it's off the topic at hand.

I thought I had seen  fence ads at some of the High Schools in Kern County.   I go to so many football games and track meets though that it is possible the ads I remember were in other counties.    Today was the last day of the first semester of 2009 summer school for KHSD.  I wonder how many students participated.  I wonder how many were taking a class over because they failed it the first time.  Students who fail a class because they fail to participate or are truant should have to pay for the privilege to retake the class.  Students who park on campus shoule pay for that also.  According to the Garces Handbook http://www.garces.org/Porta...  (see page 71) they charge $20 for parking permits.   Public High Schools could do the same. 

I think local sports fans should just be happy that there still is a sports program.  There are bigger fish to fry in gov't than perserving the sports teams.

It is  very sad that all of these cuts have to happen.   We as parents have taken many things for granted.  We have kids in high school sports.  Whether it be football, cross country, basketball, etc..  Have all failed to support these programs.  You go to these events and no one is even in the stands.  Parents  don't  help with there child's fundraisers.  Everyone wants to spend money but they don't support the teams.  An believe me there is so many ways to help.  The concessions are opened at these events.  If parents donated for there sports the teams would have extra money.  I think everyone needs to help there coaches and kids out.  Support your schools Athletics programs and our kids will shine.  We can help raise money with miminal cost.  Let's get it together parents and donate  time and supplies.

It's very sad that State leaders tried to ignore the problems away and this is an end result of that strategy.

danetteb comments that  "Parents  don't  help with there child's fundraisers."    That is not the case at East High. (and probably other area schools)  There are parents at EBHS who meet monthly to plan fund raising events for the sports programs there.  Here is information about one such upcoming event.   I hope some of you can attend this concert.  Do you like the Majestics?     The East Bakersfield high school football team is happy to introduce "A night with the Majestics".  The Majestics are a local band that have decided to do a concert for the football team.  The concert/dinner begins at 6pm on Friday July 10th.  You can get tickets early at East High or from any Quarterback Club member or East Bakersfield Football coach.  The cost of the dinner is $35 which gets you a tri-tip dinner, two drinks tickets, and the concert.  If you are just going to attend the concert the cost is 20 dollars.  The will also be a silent auction at the event.
When:    Friday July 10th
Where:  The Veterans Hall on Norris Rd.
Time:      6:00 pm for dinner
8:00 pm  Concert starts
How much: 35 dollars for dinner and the concert
20 dollars for the concert alone

Read about Blades Football here   http://eastbakersfieldblade...

That sounds like Boosters that get together every month.  I am part of the boosters @ Ridgeview.  My concern is that we get minimal support from parents.  Our boosters are at every game and try to get parents involved.  But many don't want any part of it.  We always see the same parents who want to help out.  There is a group of about 10 of us.  We are always trying to raise money for the kids.  But I think alot of people don't want to help.  They are the same ones that complain when things are bad.

>>You go to these events and no one is even in the stands.

I agree.  The community needs to support the local teams.  Nowadays, you can TiVo/DVR that Lakers or USC game.  Parents should support the teams.  I see a good number of parents and families at Centennial's games supporting their sons and daughters.  In basketball that's hard to do though if you have both a son and daughter playing basketball.  The KHSD needs to look at how it schedules the games.  For basketball, frosh/soph boys and girls should play at one place while the JV and varsity boys and girls should play at the other.  That's how it used to be for the basketball games and it seemed like the stands were much more filled, at least at Centennial.  Alums should be encouraged to go to watch some games at their old school, too.  I graduated from Centennial in 2001 and still go back to nearly every game, and no, I'm not a parent.  I just go and cheer the Golden Hawks on.  I always buy plenty of water and snacks and a program when they're available.

Why couldn't the schools consider some of the "non-moneymaking" sports as "clubs," like they do with cheerleading? 

>>fundraising is already cut-throat as it is.

There's so little fundraising because from what I hear, it takes a lot of time just to plan a fundraiser.  I hear that the district requires a ton of paperwork and numerous approvals just to even start a fundraiser.  The KHSD needs to overhaul some of its policies when it comes to fundraising and encourage more of it.  Local teams (and cheerleading squads for that matter) could encourage businesses in their communities to support them as well by sponsoring them or helping them raise funds.

Also, the district could do more to encourage volunteers to help out at the games (coaching, etc.)

And why not change the start times (and days if needed) for outdoor sporting events (football and soccer) to cut down on lighting costs?

sys_mom-those are great ideas.  Parents, fans, and boosters from each school should meet regularly to plan and do fundraisers.  Sadly, I doubt I can make it to that concert.

Why couldn't the schools consider some of the "non-moneymaking" sports as "clubs," like they do with cheerleading? 

That's not the case anymore.  Chearleading is considered a sport.  I asked a teacher at BHS when I noticed more people of color on the chearleading squads when I went to a game a few years back.

They should make all the sports teams as clubs (with some type of loose affiliation to the school) if it comes down to finances and cutting cost.  That would be one way for school to generate revenue by charging the clubs use of facilities and it may even be a way for non-revenue producing sports (like wrestling or water polo) to survive Title IX issues.  Football would make enough money to be self sustaining at some schools.

I was the co-adviser for the B.C. cheerleaders in the early 90's. I planned out fundraisers all the time for the squad as they had to pay for their own uniforms. I enlisted assistance from local businesses. We ordered "terrible towels" to sell at the football games and it had the BC logo and a football on one side and the sponsor on the other side. 3-Way Chevy sponsored A LOT of stuff for us as did Burke Ford, Health South and others. We also had mini footballs that, again, sponsors payed for, and the squad sold some and threw some out at the games. Same for Basketball. The money earned was divided amongst the squad until every body's uniform was paid in full (also, they did not get their uniform until it was paid for!). After that, any fund raising money was placed in a "cheer" account at the business office and we drew from it for supplies, i.e., poster paper, paint, brushes, meals for away games, gas for the van for away games, etc. 3-Way also loaned us vans for our away games and we had to pay a driver and for the gas. We bought magnetic "posters" for the sides of the van that indicated the Renegade cheerleaders van was sponsored by 3-Way Chevy. Great advertising for them! A means to an end for us! WIN-WIN!!!

Over the summer the squad had car washes in the B.C. parking lot!  My husband and my co-workers' brother built the boxes for the squad to stand on. The squad also had to pay their own way to cheer camp for a week in Santa Barbara, including getting ourselves there and back home! Why can't "camps" for any sport be paid for by the parents? Or a special fund for those who really can't pay? Although there was no such fund for the cheer squads. Those who were financially strapped were allowed to make payments. Many on the squad had part-time jobs.

I don't know why the high schools (a) can't enlist local businesses to help, (b) need 50 people on a squad! Holy Moly!!! We had 4 cheer and 4 song leaders at BHS plus Danny & Dottie Driller!  At B.C. the most I had on a squad was 10 - would have only been 8 but I talked 2 guys into joining the squad!  We all had a blast!

IT CAN BE DONE!!!!!

It is unfortunate that schools don't take advantage of the great fund-raising opportunities that are out there. The Bakersfield Condors have an excellent give back program to give incentives for making the most profit for your organizations. Not only are you making money for your school/program/organization but you are actually getting value for your money. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your friends and family while benefiting your organization. It's a simple program. For more information visit bakersfieldcondors.com .