WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Kershaw Co. parents fighting plan to cut J.V. sports

Kershaw Co. parents fighting plan to cut J.V. sports

By Taylor Kearns - bio | email

CAMDEN, SC (WIS) - We got an email from WIS viewer Brenda Grant, who was worried about the Kershaw County School District's budget cuts.

"They are planning on doing away with all school sports with the exception of varsity," Grant said. She's not letting the school district make that choice without a fight.

Varsity sports are the ultimate for many high school athletes, an opportunity that usually comes from time spent in Junior Varsity squads and an opportunity kids in Kershaw County might soon lose.

"They say they don't want to affect our children, this is gonna hit these kids harder than anything else," said Grant.

If the proposed budget cut passes, all ninth grade middle school J.V. athletics and cheerleading will be eliminated.

"We've got a huge obesity problem in this country and you're going to take away physical activity from these kids? questions Grant. "It baffles methat that would even be a consideration. There's got to be somewhere else to cut."

"People have to look at the fact that we've lost $9 million in revenue in a year," responded Dr. Frank Morgan, who says the district has already been cut to the bone.
    
They've reduced teacher salaries, eliminated field trips and out sourced custodial work. To make matters worse, Morgan thinks they'll be hit by more state cuts this spring.

"I'm one of the great proponents of high school athletics; I'm a product of it," said Dr. Morgan. "However, where does that fit into our first priority which is academic programs?"
    
JV programs are on a list of several possible cuts, including closing a small elementary school. Bryant and other parents hope the sports dodge the axe.

"Kids are gonna get in trouble at some point, they can be steered in the wrong direction and if they're not given something to focus on, we're gonna start having more problems with the kids," said Grant.

Morgan says the district will begin discussing and prioritizing the proposed cuts at this week's board meeting Tuesday at 6:00pm.

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