Board questions athletics funding, safety and arts investments; district cites $700,000 band instrument purchase
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Summary
During the district's March 25 budget workshop, board members pressed administrators about athletic field safety and equipment needs while administrators described expanded district support for uniforms, security and band instruments.
Board members used the budget workshop on March 25 to press district leaders about athletics, facility safety and arts funding. District officials said they have expanded central support for uniforms, security, athletic trainers and band instruments.
Dr. Foster, speaking for district administration, summarized district athletics support: the district provides seed money to each school based on a formula, pays for some uniform replacements, helps fund security staffing for events and has instituted athletic trainers where they did not previously exist. “We made sure that we kinda set everybody on on the right path,” Dr. Foster said, adding that the district has also supported capital projects such as the new baseball facility at Lake Marion and related site work.
On funding for the arts, Dr. Foster said the district made “a $700,000 investment in brand new ... band instruments” and that instrument procurement is about 95% complete; he also said district‑funded piano labs have been installed (a 25‑station lab at Clark, a 15‑station lab at OW and a 13‑station lab at Lake Marion High School).
Several board members and community supporters said they continue to hear from parents about unsafe or unfinished athletic fields and missing or inadequate equipment. One board member said some fields remain unsafe and described “piles of dirt out there” and nets that have not been fixed despite earlier requests; the board member asked the district to re‑inspect the sites. Dr. Foster said he was not previously aware of some of the specific outstanding items but asked that details be sent so staff could follow up with the athletic director.
Board members and Dr. Foster discussed use of social media to solicit equipment. Dr. Foster urged coaches and staff to use the athletic director and formal district channels rather than social posts for equipment requests so the district can verify needs and avoid duplicated appeals. The district also told the board it continues to expect schools to run boosters and local fundraising to sustain athletics, but that central office support was increased to reduce some burdens on individual schools.
The board asked staff to follow up on specific safety reports and provide updates to the board; no formal action or vote on athletics funding was taken at the March 25 workshop.