FRANKLIN, IN—
Last month the Franklin Township School Board received a proposal to cut $4.7 million from the budget. Now they plan to cut another $2 million from this year's book. The additional cuts now on the table will affect more teachers, bus riders and for the first time, student athletes.Sports are one way for kids to express themselves. In Franklin Township that expression may soon have a price tag for middle and high school students.
"We will count on parents who want their children to play those sports to fund the coaches salaries, as well as the equipment and other expenses associated with those sports," said Franklin Township Schools Superintendent Dr. Walter Bourke.
The superintendent has revised an earlier proposal to try to trim $6.7 million from the general budget.
The new proposal would eliminate 54 teaching positions and -- starting this fall -- high school bus riders would have to pay for their transportation. All bus riders would pay starting in 2012. Also in the proposal is a user fee on athletic programs.
"I don't think it's right that they have to pay," said Franklin Township resident Danny Hall. "I went to a small high school and I participated in basketball and I think it really helps for the kids to be involved in a sport."
"It should be pushed onto the families to help out as much as they possibly can," argued Franklin Township resident Ron Anderson. "Even though they live in Franklin Township, they're paying the same taxes, but how about the people that don't have the kids. That's what I'm saying."
A recent survey showed 750 Franklin Township high school students play sports. The high school athletics budget is nearly $451,000. Divided equally it could cost each athlete $600 to play a sport. Add that to the $375 they may have to pay to ride the bus next fall and the price of school starts to add up.
A spokesman for the Indiana High School Athletic Association says he doesn't know of any hoosier school districts that currently have a pay to play sports policy.
The Franklin Township School Board will discuss the proposal during a work session next week.
