Extra school activities

[Salty]

The purpose of school is to teach the three "R". Often a State or Commonwealth will have many requirements of which the cost must be borne by the local district.

However, budgets in many school districts are very tight. So what should be cut?

Sports, music, drama, field trips, ect

Should students be required to pay fees to participate in non-academic activities?

Open for discussion

NOTE: Statements such as "but the law currently says" are not to be part of this discussion. The subject at hand, is what should the school be able to do.

 

[Rolfe]

I think that the participants should pay for extracurricular activities.

 

[Gina B]

I don't think music should be considered extra. It's part of life. However, we paid thousands in fees for them to be involved and I think most schools do charge, though I have yet to hear of kids being charged for football.
I've joked many times that this free education is expensive. Those free programs (like football) are paid for by the cost of tickets to games, concessions, and fundraising. Sometimes help from other departments that help raise funds - like marching band. The schools really don't pay in a lot of cases. The coaches salary is already in there because they teach gym and sometimes classes during the school day.
No need to cut...

 

[Zaac]

The purpose of school is to teach the three "R". Often a State or Commonwealth will have many requirements of which the cost must be borne by the local district.

You start off trying to harangue the conversation before it even starts. :laugh: The purpose of the school is to TEACH period. And that can be done through extracurricular activities as well.

However, budgets in many school districts are very tight. So what should be cut?

Sports, music, drama, field trips, ect

Whatever the schoolboards and communities decide should be cut.

Should students be required to pay fees to participate in non-academic activities?

It depends on the school district

Open for discussion

NOTE: Statements such as "but the law currently says" are not to be part of this discussion. The subject at hand, is what should the school be able to do.

Again, I understand your point. But you can't just dismiss what the law says they can/cannot do just because you want the conversation to go a certain way. The legal parameters ARE relevant.

 

[Zaac]

I don't think music should be considered extra. It's part of life. However, we paid thousands in fees for them to be involved and I think most schools do charge, though I have yet to hear of kids being charged for football.
I've joked many times that this free education is expensive. Those free programs (like football) are paid for by the cost of tickets to games, concessions, and fundraising. Sometimes help from other departments that help raise funds - like marching band. The schools really don't pay in a lot of cases. The coaches salary is already in there because they teach gym and sometimes classes during the school day.
No need to cut...

A lot of schools have Booster clubs who run the concessions , do fund raisers etc. And they ask that the parents and players do so many hours volunteering, etc to raise money to help offset the extra costs associated with playing.

Coaches spend HOURS outside of regular classes practicing and during games. Those hours are generally part of a separate pay package and need to be. It is not included with their teaching salaries in most districts.

From the time that I spent in practice and then the travel and the competitions, I can tell ya, it's almost like another full time job for the coaches. Easily another 25-35 hours a week on top of what they spend in class.

 

[righteousdude2]

So.....what......

A lot of schools have Booster clubs who run the concessions , do fund raisers etc. And they ask that the parents and players do so many hours volunteering, etc to raise money to help offset the extra costs associated with playing.

Coaches spend HOURS outside of regular classes practicing and during games. Those hours are generally part of a separate pay package and need to be. It is not included with their teaching salaries in most districts.

From the time that I spent in practice and then the travel and the competitions, I can tell ya, it's almost like another full time job for the coaches. Easily another 25-35 hours a week on top of what they spend in class.

Class room teachers spend their own money on crayons, pencils, paper, painting materials, etc. All schools are running on cheap, and look to their parents and teachers to underwrite everything the school can't afford....BUT we welcome illegal immigrant children to out NEAR broke schools, and expect miracles?

I know parents that pay money each year so their students can go by bus to march in parades.:tear::tear:

 

[Salty]

...NOTE: Statements such as "but the law currently says" are not to be part of this discussion. The subject at hand, is what should the school be able to do.

Again, I understand your point. But you can't just dismiss what the law says they can/cannot do just because you want the conversation to go a certain way. The legal parameters ARE relevant.

NO YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND MY POINT!

The point is: lets start from scratch! Look at the past - keep the good - get rid of the bad.

 

[Salty]

I don't think music should be considered extra. It's part of life. However, we paid thousands in fees for them to be involved and I think most schools do charge, though I have yet to hear of kids being charged for football.

I started this thread because on another thread, someone said it is illegal to charge for extra activities.

I've joked many times that this free education is expensive. Those free programs (like football) are paid for by the cost of tickets to games, concessions, and fundraising.

I don't have stats in front of me, but I would say those ticket sales only pay a small % of the football program. And most HS sports programs actually loose money.

The coaches salary is already in there because they teach gym and sometimes classes during the school day.
No need to cut...

But the coach (and his assistants) gets paid extra
for the time put in for practice and games.

Even if just $50 an hour - @ 15 hours / week X 13 x 3 coaches = 30 grand for the season...

does anyone have a better estimate ?

 

[InTheLight]

Things to cut:

Drivers Education
Dance Team
Synchronized Swimming
Ski jumping
Flag Corps
Gay/Lesbian/Transgender Club
Cheerleading
Drama

Any athletic activity that is not a team sport or is not a sport. That would include:

Bowling
Golf
Skiing
most gymnastics
most track and field events

I'm sure I missed some, but this would be a good start.

BTW, my school district charges fees for athletics.
Baseball $150
Football $170
Soccer $150
etc.