Budget Cuts

[26 Year Gap]

Just got back from a clinic, and it looks like one of the counties in my association is going back in time---only the 3 required 3 person crews per school per season. I tossed out the suggestion of a reduced fee to keep more of the 3 crew games. Sounds like they may present it.

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Just got back from a clinic, and it looks like one of the counties in my association is going back in time---only the 3 required 3 person crews per school per season. I tossed out the suggestion of a reduced fee to keep more of the 3 crew games. Sounds like they may present it.

No, No, No!!! Don't devalue the job that is being done. Do not offer to work 3 Man for less. Demand that if they want only 2 referees, that the current 3 Man fee be paid to the 2. That will put and end to the request for 2 vs 3.

[BLydic]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

No, No, No!!! Don't devalue the job that is being done. Do not offer to work 3 Man for less. Demand that if they want only 2 referees, that the current 3 Man fee be paid to the 2. That will put and end to the request for 2 vs 3.

While I agree with your sentiment, many schools will be making big cuts in budgets going forward. They're looking to save money, not take crews from 3 to 2.

[DesMoines]

As has been well documented around here (I think most recently in RichMSNs retirement-consideration thread) the "savings" of this move is somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500 total per year -- depending on which state you're in and if they play G/B or JV/V double headers (and which one of us does the math).

In the perspective of an entire school budget that could be in the millions or multi-millions, it's nothing. I remember somebody comparing it to the typical property taxes paid by either one or two homeowners in their district.

[amusedofficial]

Originally Posted by DesMoines

As has been well documented around here (I think most recently in RichMSNs retirement-consideration thread) the "savings" of this move is somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500 total per year -- depending on which state you're in and if they play G/B or JV/V double headers (and which one of us does the math).

In the perspective of an entire school budget that could be in the millions or multi-millions, it's nothing. I remember somebody comparing it to the typical property taxes paid by either one or two homeowners in their district.

Look at it another way. Spending 2.500 total per year more than you have on varsity basketball means a 200 user fee.

The school district and the freeholders or the councilors or the aldermen or the town meeting aren't willing to spend more than they need to, nor should they. It's not just 2,500 for basketball, the cuts are hitting public safety, senior citizen meals programs and the core educational curriculum. Property tax bases have been battered in many communities.

These are kids playing basketball, it ain't the NBA and it ain't NCAA. Yup, mistakes might happen, but coaches, players, scorekeepers and league commissioners make mistakes too.

Already, kids aren't playing because in many places they're being charged to play. If the schools around here can come up in another 1,000 to 2,500 from the taxpayers for a particular sport, they should use it to reduce participation fees, not indulge the know-it-all attitude of officials and their one-track-mind take on what the budgetary priorities of an educational system ought to be.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

Already, kids aren't playing because in many places they're being charged to play. If the schools around here can come up in another 1,000 to 2,500 from the taxpayers for a particular sport, they should use it to reduce participation fees, not indulge the know-it-all attitude of officials and their one-track-mind take on what the budgetary priorities of an educational system ought to be.

I have neither a one-track mind nor do I pretend to know more about school budgets than anyone else. But I do know this: coaches get paid and their pay goes up each year. Teachers get paid and their pay goes up each year. Health care costs go up each year, but in most school districts, teachers and other school employees do not share in that higher cost (which is nothing at all like what happens in my private business.)

I understand full well why budget directors are trying to cut expenses and as a taxpayer, I fully support those efforts. But I reject the notion that officials should be the only ones that must make less money to keep costs in check. Of course, most officials are not part of the "system" and we will see our fees cut long before we see the pay of anyone on the inside cut.