School sports not in jeopardy

School sports are a big deal in Sisters. Recently, there have been rumors circulating through the community that those beloved programs are in jeopardy.

"I've heard from several people around the community that there is a concern that we will not have sports next year," said board member Cheryl Stewart during the February 8 board meeting. "More specifically, (rumors that) we will not have football. There is concern and it keeps bubbling up from a lot of places."

Superintendent Jim Golden was quick to quash those rumors.

"We are planning on having a full plate of sports like we did this year," said Golden. "The real question that the board will have to decide is that we will be hiring an athletic director. Our discussion when we know more about our budget is the part-time (or full-time) position."

Cuts in funding have had a significant impact.

"The hard part for the community is that we have gone (away) from fully funded sports. But when you have a 30 percent decline in budget (10 percent per year for three years), with a focus that academics are the number-one priority, it hurts

(sports)."

At this point, it looks like middle school sports will remain under the purview of Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD).

"I think that SPRD has done a nice job," Golden said. "My recommendation at this time is that we keep the sports with SPRD (middle school), but that high school would have a full plate of sports like we did this

year."

Efforts to gauge the needs and concerns of the sports community in Sisters schools garnered praise.

During the "community comments" segment of the meeting, parent Nancy Connolly said, "I wanted to thank the high school administration for taking the time to survey the

parents about their concerns, good and bad, and ways to improve for the athletic program. I have had children in the high school athletics program for seven years, and this is the first time that anyone has asked what I or my husband felt. I applaud them."