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River City High showcases fall athletes and marching band; boosters ask district for more support
Summary
River City High School presented fall sports honors and growth in its marching band program at the Jan. 23 board meeting. Student athletes and band leaders highlighted achievements; River City Regiment boosters said the program faces a roughly $50,000 annual shortfall and requested more district support for visual and performing arts programs.
River City High School representatives highlighted fall sports achievements and the expansion of the River City Regiment marching band during the Washington Unified Board of Education meeting on Jan. 23. Student athletes, coaches and band leaders described league honors, large participation numbers and competitive placements.
Assistant Principal Kristi Dornan and Athletic Director Britt Dami said the school has "over 793 athletes" during the fall/winter season (not including spring sports) and presented a list of all-league honorees across football, cross country, flag football, tennis, water polo and volleyball. Athletic staff spotlighted senior water polo player Reagan Eisenberg, who the athletic director said led the nation in goals with 201 per MaxPreps, is an Academic All'American with a reported 4.3 GPA, and was named league MVP.
Band director Rudy Cisneros and student leaders said the River City Regiment has grown to 96 members, has moved into the Western Band Association circuit (WBA), and has placed no lower than the top five at field competitions this season. Band leadership noted 259 hours of rehearsal time and said the program is the only competitive marching band in Yolo County.
Boosters' funding shortfall and district request Brandy Dion, president of the River City Regiment Music Boosters, spoke during public comment to outline the financial demands of sustaining the regiment and other visual and performing arts (VAPA) programs. Dion presented a $50,000 annual cost for the regiment and provided a line-item breakdown she said the boosters cover: - $10,000 for buses - $5,000 for competition fees - $6,000 for instructor support - $6,000 for music licensing and program design - $12,000 for uniforms and equipment maintenance/replacement - $10,000 for administrative costs, insurance, storage and student recognition
Dion said key fundraising sources underperformed this year: a fireworks booth that historically raised $12,000 produced $6,000 and the West Sacramento All Charities raffle was canceled, costing an expected $4,000 in revenue. The boosters asked the district to consider additional support to sustain program growth and to address middle school program equity.
Student testimony Student athletes and band leaders described how sports and music provide community and academic motivation. Reagan Eisenberg told the board the team gave her a "built-in community" when she arrived at high school and that lessons learned in sports—"perseverance, determination, grit"—have supported both athletics and academics.
No formal district funding decision was made at the meeting; boosters and program staff said they would follow up with district administrators to explore potential support.
