School Board Spares Activities; Warns of More Cuts Next Year

The Park County District 6 School Board has chosen to keep all current activities for the upcoming school year, despite the need for massive budget cuts due to decreased funding from the state.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board voted to reduce coaching positions, reassign costs within the Cody High School budget to reduce the activities budget, they voted to reduce the travel and supplies budget, and to increase activity participation fees to $50 at the high school and $35 at the middle school. They will also impose a $20 fee for all other activities that have not been assessed an activity fee prior to this point.

Although the activities themselves were spared this year, Trustee Jenni Rosencranse pointed out that the district will most likely face tougher choices in the future.

Trustee Stefanie Bell commended the work that has been done by the administration to make the changes necessary for this budget year, as well as all the comments brought by students and parents in support of the various activities. However, Bell and Trustee Scott Weber encouraged citizens to become involved in the Booster Club and other organizations that can help support student activities, because cuts will continue to come.

In an April School Board meeting, Booster Club President Barry Welch had offered the support of the club to any student that wishes to participate in activities but can’t afford the activity fees; and Activities Director Tony Hult pointed out that there are situations in which activity fees can be waived.