Editorial: Make own decisions on sports cuts

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The South Dakota High School Activities Association has been fielding calls in recent days from school officials who want fewer athletic events scheduled in the coming seasons. The calls, according to the SDHSAA, have been prompted by the recent decision by the state Legislature to cut education funding by 6.6 percent in the next state budget. Originally set for a 10 percent cut, state lawmakers adjusted the cuts in the waning days of the current session.

Obviously, fewer events could save a few dollars in travel costs and referee fees. Overall, however, we don’t see how trimming schedules would make up that much of a difference in the overall scheme of a school’s budget shortcomings.

It also sounds like an organizational nightmare. The state football schedule, for instance, is an intricate and laborintensive grid that’s created in the offices of the SDHSAA. Cutting games for some schools, but not all schools, would be difficult.

And in the end, we think decisions such as these should only be made at the local level, and not through a statewide sanctioning body such as the SDHSAA. If patrons of individual school districts feel cuts should be made to athletic programs, so be it.

In Mitchell, it’s been proven time and again that dedicated booster clubs and parent groups can support — and even save — sports teams. The Mitchell Aquatic Club and the Mitchell High gymnastics programs are just two of the most recent examples.

Extracurricular activities — whether it’s football, choir, debate or any others — are so important to creating well-rounded, disciplined students. We urge school district officials and patrons to remember that when they’re considering any budgetary trimming in the coming year.

And we always contend that educationbased decisions are best left up to the patrons of individual districts.

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