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Board hears $175,000 athletics increase proposal as travel and equipment costs rise
Summary
Staff proposed roughly $89,000 in coaching-supplement changes and $85,000 in supply/equipment increases for athletics — including upgraded helmets and higher officials and travel expenses — prompting trustees to question new coaching positions amid rising travel costs.
Finance staff told the board the combined year-over-year athletics increase for FY27 is roughly $175,000, split between supplement schedule adjustments ($89,000) and supply and equipment increases ($85,000). The supplement requests include adding tennis and swim assistant supplements and boosting some existing stipends, while supply increases cover uniforms, safer helmets, officials' pay and travel costs.
"Playoff bonuses is $20,000 of that," Mr. Pettit said as he outlined the supplement breakdown. Several trustees questioned adding coaching positions while travel costs and region changes mean farther away opponents and higher travel expenses. One trustee said, "Our number 1 priority is is the kids," stressing concern about travel costs and reluctance to add unnecessary positions. Staff said they will provide a full breakdown of coach supplements and suggested shifting more athletics costs to activity funds and ticket-driven revenue where possible.
The presentation also noted safety-driven equipment upgrades (new helmets that can measure force) and the recurring nature of many supplement and supply costs, meaning they would be part of future baseline calculations.
