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High school sports: an uncertain future

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

In Grand Meadow, Minn., Tyler Iverson, Michael Gehling and John Jacobson hit the weight room in preparation for the nine-man football season. But next year, the school district will not have high school softball, baseball and golf teams.

Part 1: As school districts look to save, athletic programs lose out

Last update: May 20, 2008

(FIRST OF THREE PARTS)

Even when it’s not basketball season, Brock Tesdahl likes to shoot baskets in the gym at Crosby-Ironton High School. The sophomore was part of the Rangers team that finished second in Class 2A at the boys’ state tournament in March, and he’s already thinking about next season. But his junior year might be the last chance he gets to play high school basketball.

Like a growing number of schools in Minnesota, Crosby-Ironton is facing a crisis in funding sports and other activities for its 357 high school students. After local voters turned down a levy last fall, the district announced that all high school and middle school activities would be cut in the 2008-09 school year.

Fundraising appears to have saved activities at Crosby-Ironton for one year, but after that the ax is likely to fall. And without high school sports, what next?

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In the midst of a slumping economy and tight education dollars, public schools in Minnesota are finding it harder and harder to fund sports and other activities. Some schools are eliminating programs and many others are raising the fees that students must pay in order to participate. The problem touches schools of all sizes in all parts of the state and is only expected to worsen. Star Tribune staff writer John Millea and photojournalist Rich Tsong-Taatarii spent time in four school districts that are dealing with serious funding issues.

Second in a three-part series

Part 2: Crosby-Ironton racing against the clock

Crosby-Ironton student-athletes

Crosby-Ironton student-athletes

Time is running out for schools such as Crosby-Ironton to find a way to save their sports and activities.

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