By Emily Massingill

editor@themonroetimes.com

MONROE — At the regular School District of Monroe Board of Education meeting Aug. 10, Monroe High School Activities Director Jeff Newcomer proposed obtaining financial support from the school for longtime bowling, cheerleading and dance programs that are currently self-funded. 

In a letter addressed to District Administrator Rick Waski, Newcomer’s request asked for “help in creating an equal playing field for all of our teams.”

Newcomer said at the meeting that he had the request in mind for a few years, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the school pulling back from some of its fundraising efforts during difficult economic times, some programs may start to struggle. 

“I think it’s the right move, especially at this time,” Newcomer said.

Monroe High School offers 22 athletic teams and 17 are funded fully by the district. The boys and girls co-op programs are partially funded, while the co-ed programs of bowling, cheerleading and dance are currently self-funded, meaning the teams raise money for things like safety equipment, travel expenses, entry fees, membership dues and salaries for coaches. 

Waski was in support of the change, saying athletic directors in Monroe have been frugal and the activities have proven themselves. 

“These programs have withstood the test of time,” Waski said. 

Bowling has been in Monroe since the early 2010s and cheerleading and dance have been around longer, Waski said. Although at the time they were initiated they agreed to be self-funded, he said they have “proven themselves to be viable programs.”

Around 40 to 50 students participate in the three programs annually and each of them has an extended season. 

To fund all three programs would cost the district $8,100 and that number includes a coaching salary for about $2,000 each and expenses around $500 for each program. Business Administrator Ron Olson said the programs could be adjusted into the budget.

Newcomer asked the board to also consider the benefits those involved bring to the district, such as higher attendance and GPAs, healthy behaviors and life skill development.

“… at such small proportions of the overall district budget, school activity programs are one of the best bargains around,” Newcomer said in his letter.

Students and families typically fundraise for these programs, but Newcomer said if they don’t reach that goal, they start out the season in the red. He said it’s been challenging for these teams to overcome the financial burden each year of having to fundraise and COVID-19 would likely make things more difficult.

He noted that all of the student-athletes sign up and follow an activities handbook/code of conduct and are held to the same standards expected from students who represent the district and community. 

“The coaches and student-athletes that are a part of these three programs are not treated any differently than the coaches and student-athletes on the football team, basketball team or any other of the 19 funded sports,” Newcomer said.

According to Newcomer, bowling, cheerleading and dance have all held success. The bowling team won a state championship in 2017 and the dance team has advanced to state competition five times in the last 10 years. 

Waski asked the board to take action on the matter at its Aug. 24 meeting, although several board members showed support for the request, including Dan Bartholf.

“I’m in support of this — I think they represent Monroe and they have the numbers,” Bartholf said.

If approved, hockey would be the only self-funded sport left in Monroe, Newcomer said.