Do sports have a sporting chance?

The Sisters school budget committee has recommended slashing over $75,000 from sports and approximately $100,000 from educational spending.

But a large group of citizens attending the committee's final meeting on Monday, May 22, urged the committee to protect teachers and classes -- and cut all sports funding.

Parent Gary Cundiff spoke first, and for many.

"We moved to Sisters for the high quality of education our children would receive (not for sports)," he said.

His daughter Jamie, a sophomore, added, "We have a higher grading system (than other schools) and we need excellent teachers.

"Please", she asked, "give us the opportunity to have the best possible education and not cut teachers and programs so important to our future."

Announced staffing cuts at the high school would impact Spanish language, home economics, industrial technology, and auto body shop.

Two writing classes will be cut.

Perhaps most significantly, the trimming of choices would increase the size of classes receiving the transferring students.

This year's budget shortfall already has erased 1.5 teaching positions. To meet the committee's newly proposed budget of $6,749,000 for the 2000 school year, four more teaching positions are slated for elimination.

School Superintendent Steve Swisher explained how the fall parings should occur.

"We expect two teachers to resign and one to retire," he said. "That leaves one, but we won't know for sure (if there's another transfer out) until fall."

Veteran school teacher Carol Dixon said concerns about cuts are already affecting instructors.

"I know teachers who are applying to other districts because they don't know what's going on," she said.

Dixon said she also is looking. This brought an immediate and emotional response from an onlooker. Norma Pledger, identifying herself as a teacher and parent, said "Carol was my teacher and now my child's...her leaving makes me sick."

Chopping all sports programs would save the district approximately $150,000 and cover the cuts to curriculum.

However, Swisher sounds a cautious note.

"Statewide, about 50 percent of students participate in activities," the superintendent said. "In Sisters, that figure is 70 percent. This makes the quality of our schools and is a reason for high parental involvement.

"We really need a blend of both (sports and excellent educational programs) to get our core job done. We have to be careful not to create a sterile environment," he said.

The school board will decide the fate of sports funding. The board's next meeting is scheduled for June 5t. It must approve a final budget by June 30.