Cost-cutting deal could turn school sports over to park district
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
A proposed sports partnership between the Rockford Park District and Rockford Public School District 205 was announced Sunday, Jan. 16.
If approved, the deal would transfer all operations of the school district’s competitive sports program on all grade levels to the park district.
The park district would take over all responsibilities, including hiring coaches, beginning next year. In turn, District 205 would slash some of the expenses associated with its athletic program.
Reps from both organizations said the proposal is only in the planning stage and the public is urged to get involved in later stages of the process.
Two public forums will be held in coming weeks to give the community an opportunity to hear the proposal in its entirety.
Wednesday, Jan. 26, the plan will be presented to the public at the Auburn High School Auditorium. A second presentation will be made Thursday, Feb. 1, at Guilford High School. Both sessions will begin at 5:30 p.m.
According to statistics, the school district will enter fiscal year 2012 with a $404 million budget. Officials are also expecting an approximate $50 million shortfall.
District 205 spends approximately $3 million each year on its extracurricular athletic program.
Auburn High School is at 5110 Auburn St. The Guilford High School Auditorium is at 5620 Spring Creek Rd.
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3 Comments
Is this why the Park District raised our taxes?
This proposal may save the school district some money, but it doesn’t save the taxpayers any money – it will simply shift the cash burden to another pocket (the Rockford Park District). This is akin to trying to make a blanket longer by cutting a foot length from one end and sewing it onto the other end.
It says that the public is urged to get involved in the later stages. By “later stages”, does that mean after they decide and we really can’t do anything about it? Why isn’t the public involved more now (other than going to a public forum)? Exactly how much will the School Board be saving? The school board is to reimburse the Park District so how does that save money? What will be the quality of the Coaches and staff, what will happen to the Booster Clubs and the money they raise? Lots of questions but not very many answers. I know they are in an “exploring the idea” stage but I would think the Public should have a bit more information. I’m sure LaVonne has it all figured out but is waiting for the “right” time to share it with the rest of us :)
That means we should get the answers after the next school year starts.