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Board approves 2025–26 athletics/activity addendum with cuts; cheer/dance combination sparks debate
Summary
Facing budget shortfalls, the board adopted the 2025–26 addendum matrix trimming athletics and club addenda; trustees debated combining cheer and dance and potential fundraising alternatives before passing the matrix 5–2 by roll call.
The Beloit School District Board of Education voted Sept. 2 to adopt the 2025–26 addendum matrix that reduces the number of athletic and activity addendums as part of district cost-saving measures.
Administration said the matrix is the result of a multi-year review of activity participation and costs. Trustees discussed options including encouraging parent or PTO fundraising, whether cuts should be applied across all addendums by a fixed percentage, and whether cheer and dance should be combined. Trustee Amy Levy said she was concerned that cheer and dance were treated as a single combined activity despite testimony from coaches that they are distinct programs; other trustees said district web listings and historical practice show the programs combined and that the savings needed to be achieved.
After discussion the board took a roll-call vote: Juan Romero, Joanne Roux, Brian Nichols, Tom Hankins and Tia Johnson voted in favor; Megan Miller and Amy Levy voted against. The motion carried 5–2.
Board members asked administration to provide more information about fundraising options and about criteria used to combine or cut activities as staff prepare to implement the changes.
