High School Sports, Cancelled for Budget

[BP317]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/index
The deal with this school district in Ohio was if they did not pass a new tax on real estate, all sports would continue to be suspended as they were the semester before. They did end up passing the tax which required home owners to pay $270/year for $100,000 worth of their home, as well as each student having to pay $150 per sport they play.

That is ridiculous, especially considering the huge weight problem our country (especially kids) have. Politicians are always discussing about kids needing to spend more time in the classroom, in my opinion kids need to spend more time outside/in the gym. Sports get them away from the video games and potato chips and they should be encouraged to play, it should not even be considered to cut all sports activities. Luckily when I was in HS (played football for a few years and IM sports) playing sports was free. All of these activities are now up charges at the school I went to.

Thoughts?

[monsterfan99]

I don't agree with charging kids at all. High school activities should be open to everyone, regardless of how rich a kids family is. This speaks volumes on the discrepancy among schools on all fronts. Something needs to be done about that more then anything.

However, I am 100% in favor of canceling sports in high school. At no point should sports or any other extracurricular activity be put before education. These are places to learn to better ones self, not play a game. Money spent on sports could go to books, computers for all kids, new technology, better trained teachers and ever move money to club sports.

This also speaking to the culture of sports over intellectual. I'm not saying sports people can not be smart. However, when was the last time you saw a pep rally for the honor roll kids? Or see the gym with banner "Exceed educational standards 2003, 2001, 1996, 1991."

Weight issues fall 100% on the parent. There are things called limits that parents can enforce. These parents should take the time to stop watching TV and go play with their kids at a young age. That alone will move them to physical activities. It's all about priorities and choices.

I get sports can help kids and are fun. I love sports myself and enjoyed them in high school. However, I would rather kids know who their senators are or how to find the area of a triangle over what play to run on 3rd down.

[FParker185]

This is america, Intelligence must be punished.

[w00dland]

Politicians may say that we need to refocus our education because that is what will get them re-elected. Unfortunately for the schools they don't have super powerful lobbyists paying for the elected officials to get elected in the first place, so they don't go on the top of the spending lists.

That's how stuff works in the country. Look at the major debate being spread on health care, something that EVERYBODY needs. The insurance lobby is very powerful. Yeah, we need education, but who is gonna pay for it? Officials hate raising taxes cause it makes them look bad, even if our educational system needs major overhaul.

[Paradise]

I say charge 'em. Most of them can probably afford it anyway.

[w00dland]

^And if you were one of the 5 or 6 kids that couldn't play I bet you wouldn't be upset, right?

Our country has a real problem with equality. We say that we have it, but we don't. Not even close. Truly equal I'd call impossible for our society because we're too goal oriented, but basic equal rights haven't even been figured out yet...

[monsterfan99]

^That is the true problem with education.