Athletics is a big part of the fabric of Kern County, and parents and coaches came together Monday to try to save junior varsity sports.
That won't be easy considering the budget crisis.
"It is important," saidKHSD Trustee Ken Mettler, "But we're also looking at cuts in many other programs, so sports may have to take on some of that burden."
About 10 people spoke out against cutting JV sports at Monday night's meeting of the Kern High School District Board of Directors.
One of them was Paul Gola, head football coach at Bakersfield High School.
"The thing we hope to get done is to give us an opportunity to fund raise and keep those sports together," Gola said.
Mettler says he wants to push possible JV cuts to the next school year, not the upcoming one.
"One of the items I will raise is let's look at JV, and let's put any decision on that off 'till 2010-2011," Mettler said.
But for parents, the issue is non-negotiable for any time.
"I'm against cutting anything in athletics," said Leonard Welsh. "I was an athlete when I was in school. I've had children who have been athletes, and I think athletics is a terrific laboratory to teach life lessons."
The issue of JV athletics was not on the board's agenda Monday, so no action was taken. A decision will be made July 1.
They are expected to vote on the matter July 2nd.
It is estimated that cutting JV athletics would save the district roughly $430,000.
