Clayton County Public schools is negotiating with the county's parks and recreation system to assume operation of its middle school sports teams in hopes that the district won't have to terminate its sports programs to balance next year's school budget.
As it stands now, Clayton's school system needs to cut $16 million from next year's budget. Scrapping the middle school sports program would save the district nearly $900,000 a year, superintendent Edmond Heatley told the school board recently. The issue is likely to be addressed at a weekend retreat where Heatley will present the board with a final slate of proposed cuts.
The board is expected to adopt a final budget-reduction plan Monday.
Although details are sketchy, school board chair Pam Adamson said parks and recreation would take responsibility for the middle school sports program and would likely use school facilities. Troy Hodges, Clayton parks and recreation assistant director, confirmed discussions were ongoing but could not comment on detail.
"It’ll be the same sports program we currently have but we’re looking for clarification," Adamson said. She said she was encouraged by the idea because it would allow more students to play sports. The number of students playing on school teams is currently limited.
"I’m willing to compromise, but I just don't favor [cutting middle school sports] at all," said board member Jessie Goree, a former middle school teacher. "It's a very vital part of middle school. Middle school sports builds character and teamwork. It's a good connection between curriculum and sport itself. It's not just for the athlete but [other] students as well."
Opposition to the proposed plan has drawn opposition from parents, including some who vow to leave the county if the district goes through with ending middle school sports, Goree said.
Those sports affected include football, basketball, volleyball and track. The plan would not affect the district's physical education classes.
Sharonda Johnson, a Hampton mother of 12- and 9-year-old sons, called the district's proposal "ridiculous."
"I can't believe it's even up for discussion. Our kids don't have enough physical activity in the school as it is," she said. "My youngest one is ready to play football and is looking forward to it. If it's taken out of the schools, the only opportunity [he] would have is for me to pay for him to join a church league. It's $800 off the top for the uniforms, fees and traveling."
Like other school districts, Clayton is dealing with a sinking tax base and less state and federal funding.. The district has 8,000 employees and about 51,000 students. Clayton would not be the first county to terminate middle school sports. Paulding ended its middle school sports program last year.
In addition to discussing the fate of the sports program at Saturday's retreat, Heatley is expected to introduce an amended set of budget-cutting options that includes reducing the district’s membership dues for various organizations and eliminating dozens of positions ranging from athletic directors to maintenance and transportation services.
Heatley also is looking at restructuring the way fourth- and fifth-graders are taught. Instead of teachers teaching multiple subjects, they would concentrate on a couple of subjects.
"There are many districts that are doing that as a method of getting students prepared for middle school," Hendrix said. "There seems to be some merit to it."
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