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Board delays decision on district athletic transportation costs; requests detailed billings and greenhouse revenue data
Summary
Superintendent reported estimated losses for baseball and softball after schedule changes and facility unavailability; board agreed to add a full breakdown of transportation costs and greenhouse revenue to the next meeting agenda for consideration.
The Madison County School Board discussed potential district costs related to baseball and softball schedules and a greenhouse revenue shortfall and directed staff to present a detailed breakdown at the next meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Pitts told the board that schedule adjustments and facility unavailability forced more away games and earlier start times, which reduced ticket sales and generated additional travel costs. "It's approximately around 14,000, I think, if I kinda calculated for baseball," Dr. Pitts said when describing the estimated impact on the baseball program.
Board members discussed whether the district should absorb transportation fees normally charged to teams. One board member said she previously recommended that the district not charge teams those fees because teams had to travel more than initially expected: "I just felt that it would be, you know, it would be with us to, you know, just not charge them the transportation fee that they would ordinarily pay. And I thought that was fair and equitable." That comment was presented as a recommendation; the board did not vote on a waiver during the meeting.
Why this matters: The discussion affects extracurricular-program budgets and the agriculture department, which lost greenhouse sales revenue when the greenhouse was out of service. The superintendent said the ag department "lost all of the revenue at down home days not being able to sell their plants because of the greenhouse being down." The board asked staff to include greenhouse revenues alongside athletic transportation invoices when the item returns to the agenda.
Details requested: Board members asked for final transportation invoices and a line‑item breakdown of all costs for baseball and softball (transportation, concessions/ticket shortfalls, facility rental or relocation costs). During the discussion Dr. Pitts said some transportation invoices were still pending but that initial figures indicated roughly $2,000 for the girls' travel and nearly $4,000 for the boys' travel; he said staff would compile final numbers for the next meeting.
Outcome and next steps: The board did not make a decision at the meeting. Members directed administration to place a detailed accounting of transportation costs and greenhouse lost revenue on the next meeting agenda for formal consideration. The superintendent also noted upcoming regional playoff dates and ticketing procedures (online QR code and cash at the gate) but the board's fiscal decision was deferred until staff produces the requested documentation.
