High school sports: an uncertain future
Part 1: As school districts look to save, athletic programs lose out
(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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Second in a three-part series
Part 2: Crosby-Ironton racing against the clock
Time is running out for schools such as Crosby-Ironton to find a way to save their sports and activities.
More from this series:
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Audio slide show:
Crosby-Ironton: A rich tradition
In an age of budget shortages, a small school in the north country is afraid it might lose its rich sports tradition. -
Prep sports, an uncertain future: Burden in the ’burbs
The budget crisis facing Minnesota schools is hitting everywhere. Some metro suburbs feel the hurt, too. -
Audio slide show:
Lakeville: Powerhouse tries to stay on top
In spite of cutbacks and raised athletic fees, Lakeville schools are determined to be dominant in their sporting competitions. -
Audio slide show:
Grand Meadow: Build it, and they will come
Thanks to volunteer labor and fundraising, Grand Meadow has a brand new football field and track. -
Prep activities' real cost appears when they're gone
Students need sports, arts, music and debate as a way to learn lessons and develop skills. -
Brainerd could be the way of the future
A newly created nonprofit group came to the rescue of Brainerd High School sports. -
Grand Meadow: Unique times, unique solutions
Grand Meadow High has taken some creative steps to raise money and keep costs down. But that still hasn't been enough. -
Audio slide show:
Grand Meadow: Build it, and they will come
Thanks to volunteer labor and fundraising, Grand Meadow has a brand new football field and track. -
High school sports, an uncertain future: Readers respond
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Concerns prompt a summer summit
There are no simple solutions to the funding issues that face high school activities, but a gathering will be held this summer in hope of finding some answers. -
Crunching numbers
How money was spent for two sports at Lakeville North (out of a $1.17 million activities budget in 2007-08), -
Neighbor states have issues, too
Minnesota appears to be ahead of the curve in facing serious problems with the funding of high school activities. Schools elsewhere in the Midwest are all dealing with issues such as the impact of high fuel costs on travel, but a survey of nearby states doesn't find the kind of financial turmoil that is affecting many schools in Minnesota.