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Central Square board debates cuts to modified sports; gymnastics at risk amid budget constraints
Summary
Board members debated whether budget constraints require cutting some modified and varsity programs, citing rising facility and transportation costs. The superintendent warned that proposed cuts could have removed as many as 89 students from participation and noted gymnastics attendance had dropped to four district athletes.
Board members spent an extended portion of the meeting reviewing the athletics roster amid fiscal pressure. A member asked whether earlier discussions had led to eliminating newly added middle-school modified sports; the superintendent said staff had removed an $18,000 weight-room supervisor to avoid cutting positions but that other reductions had occurred.
The superintendent warned of student impacts if deeper cuts proceeded: "if we do what we're gonna do, we would remove 89 kids from being able to play sports," he said, arguing the district sought alternatives before eliminating programs. Board members questioned whether a varsity gymnastics program should be cut after enrollment fell; the superintendent noted the program had dwindled to "4" district students and that rising facility costs and uncertainty about continued access to practice space drove the proposal.
Members discussed options to sustain low-enrollment programs, including asking boosters or neighboring districts to contribute or sending athletes from other schools to make teams viable. They also asked staff to prepare three years of participation data and itemized cost breakdowns for each sport—coaching salaries, equipment, transportation and other per-student costs—so the board can make objective decisions ahead of the next budget cycle.
