SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Junior Varsity Soccer Budget pressure on Program?

To me the worst thing about this is that the Admin was going to push this through without letting the parents know. Do they think we are stupid? Do they think we would not find out? Their failure to provide an ample public discussion with the parents speaks volumes about what they think! They want us invloved with the schools as much as possible when it comes to the fundraising but when the tough stuff like what to cut comes up they would rather dole out the decisions based on what they want not how the owners (that would be us the parents and taxpayers) want. The school board asked for this input from their Senior Leadership Team, but no one sought out the parents for their input. Who do you blame for that? Me I will blame both as they have now shown me that they would prefer to operate in the dark if possible.

I am not upset that cuts have to be made, just the way in which it was done. If you want my help in providing the best possible enviorment then perhaps you should keep me involved every chance you get.

Chief, pull the tribe together and let us know when the next meeting is. We can go on the war path. Totally agree with your comment.

Now that The Gov freed up the funds......could this all be moot?

Not sure. We will be in heavy attendance at the next meeting (15th June, I believe, dont have my planner in hand). We will be there to raise a issue of fairness and express a little rightous indignation over the process! Sure to get a little heated if the board plans on backhanding the parents or put them there. I would guess that if the money is going to help they will quickly get that out to save themselves the grief!

If not well it might be a good time to run next election!

I don't understand this line of thinking at all. In the greater scheme of things this is small taters. We freely elect a school board to create policy. We hire professional administrators to create and execute strategies necessary to the efficient and excellent management of the school district.

Let them do their jobs and if they start to go down a path you don't like tell them. And if they proceed anyway.....vote the bums out.

But don't expect input as an expectation. God help us all....if all of our "customers" demanded input into our daily small taters decisions. Absolutely nothing would get done.

Whether or not we have middle school soccer in FM is small taters given everything else going on. This is my point.

Your point appears........to have less to do with middle school soccer and more to do with decision making processes in general.

Which after living here for 10 years I understand the frustration. My opinion is.......parents aren't really consulted at all in a meaningful manner on anything. Decisions are more or less made....and then packaged in such a way as to appear like input is requested, when its really not.

But while I'll agree to that frustration, I wouldn't limit it or focus it on middle school sports.

And I'd also say that by and large they do a pretty darned good job at running the schools without that parental input/impact. So who's to say they are wrong?

"Not sure I get your point?? Which part of the way our childrens school is run is "small taters"? The fact that they can find money for redundant sports programs while cutting reading specialists? Or is it that they can feel to free unfairly cut programs without any input from the "customers"?"

Redundant sports programs? This is subjective isn't it? Again, I understand your point....but a football or basketball parent probably looks at you like your nuts. Or, like soccer parents look at lacrosse parents when they lobby for inclusion, field space and funding.

This is a football country and SC is prime and fertile turf. Many, many people.......see no problems with exactly whats going on. My guess is.....very few people give a flip about middle school sports at all and those that do are probably locked in on football, basketball and volleyball. A loud few cry unfair, unfair....for most this is a tempest in a teapot.

Tempest in a Teapot it may be but those who are willing to stir the pot have a better chance of getting their share than those who will sit back like lambs and await the edicts from on high. Sheep tend to get sheared or worse I intend to at least exercise my right to influence the process and even if it is a small vocal group, those who feel they are fighting for fairness tend to be the most committed and get results!

Fort Mill Schools: Furloughs gone, spring sports back in plan
The (Rock Hill) Herald
June 16, 2009
by Toya Graham
http://www.heraldonline.com/front/story/1411815.html

Middle school sports saved, "Pay to Play" increases to $75 a head.