Cooperstown Crier - Your Source for Hometown News - Cooperstown, Baseball Hall of Fame

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March 25, 2010

It’s time to be creative

For the last few weeks, we’ve devoted a lot of space in the paper to the dire news coming out of Cooperstown Central School regarding their projected budget for next year. With state aid decreasing, teachers and programs may be eliminated next year to make up the shortfall.

CCS’s proposed 2010-11 budget shows a reduction in five teaching positions, elimination of junior varsity football, baseball and field hockey, two modified basketball coaches, an assistant modified wresting coach, the volleyball scorekeeper, summer drivers’ education and a handful of aides and other district staff positions. With the proposed cuts and a few modifications since the last work session, district residents can still expect a 7.2 percent increase in their taxes. Without the cuts, the tax levy would go up about 13 to 14 percent, according to board members.

We agree with many residents who showed up at a recent school board meeting imploring the school to keep the summer drivers’ education program, which is important both for its educational and safety aspects.

Obviously, no one wants to see anyone lose their job, or programs cut, but residents don’t want to face a tax levy increase of up to 14 percent without the cuts, especially in this economic climate.

So what can be done? One letter writer to this paper suggested residents can start making donations to the school to help defray costs. A nice idea, but somehow we doubt it will happen. Some schools around the country are asking parents to chip in for the cost of athletic programs, whether it’s for gas to drive to away games or money for new uniforms.

We think it’s unlikely that parents will like either of those ideas, so maybe it’s time for the school to be a little more creative in raising money.

One option is putting advertising on buses. Several states around the country have started this practice and to us it seems like it’s at least worth exploring. Some schools even have paid banners from sponsors in the gymnasium during games.

Maybe school officials can get together in the near future and brainstorm.

It’s time to stop lamenting the loss of aid and start being proactive on innovative ways to raise money.

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