MASON CITY – Coaches, students and parents are mobilizing to combat proposed cuts to coaching position and funding to sports programs in Mason City schools.
Despite two taxes on property owners that were approved last year (PPEL and ISL), the Mason City School District claims times are tough and cuts are needed to make budgets balance. The district approved a 2.5% pay raise for administrators last year, and is in the midst of negotiations with the teacher’s union on more raises for educators.
Emails are now circulating from district staff and parents seeking to bring a strong presence to the next school board meeting, set for Monday, May 5 at the school administration building.
One email stated: “This email is to request the presence of players and parents to the school board meeting THIS Monday night, May 5, 2014 to ask the School Board NOT TO APPROVE the coaching cuts of the 10 high school coaches, which includes 3 of our football coaches. Dr. Micich met with the coaches to look at alleviating these cuts, but the only other options discussed were, request to make cuts in travel, sub-varsity games -home and away, equipment costs, coaching cut backs or any other general fund expenses in the amount of $3-5,000 per program with the intention of cutting $35-40,000 total, higher than the original amount being cut by the coaching positions, originally desired by the administration.
“These budget cuts are affecting our children in football and MANY other sports. Our sports budget is hit hard enough and the cuts are jeopardizing not only the quality of the program, but the overall performance of our children. This is affecting the time working with the students, the individual skill teaching for proper technique and performance, and the over all supervision for safety.
Please join us on Monday May 5, 5:30 at the School Administration Office (by Lincoln school) and show your support for our school, coaches and our kids!!”
A Mason City coach communicated the following Friday on the financial situation and status of closed door talks:
“In regards to Monday’s School Board Meeting, I want you all to know that conversations with Dr. Micich about athletic budget cuts have been moving forward in a positive direction. So much so that a group of coaches will be attending the school board meeting in support of Dr. Micich. It sounds like she is going to be doing all that she can in order to not cut coaches. You are always welcome to attend school board meetings as members of the public , but please know that Dr. Micich is personally communicating with the coaches in order to find a resolution better than the reduction of coaching jobs. Please trust that your coaches, athletic director, and booster president all have your sons’ best interests in mind.”
