Board discusses ways to support athletics

CLINTONVILLE – With the recent community survey indicating that residents of the Clintonville School District would want cuts to the district’s athletic programs as the top way to save the district money, the Clintonville Board of Education held a discussion at its Jan. 12 meeting about ways to support the athletic programs.
At the conclusion of the discussion at the meeting, it was decided that the district would continue research and work toward soliciting donations.
Leading off the discussion, Clintonville Superintendent Troy Kuhn told the board that a couple of board members contacted him with concerns about the community’s concern for the district’s athletics, based on the community survey results.
“I think it’s clear, if the referendum doesn’t pass, we have to make drastic cuts somewhere,” Kuhn said. “Even if the referendum passes or whatever, we still might have to decide on making cuts, so what can we do for sponsorship opportunities.”
Kuhn said it would be an alternate way to fund things other than using district funds or asking for funds in a referendum.

The district’s football complex is an example of how donated funds were collected and used in the past. At the board’s request, David Battenberg explained how that was done. Battenberg said when the new high school building was built with funds coming from a referendum there were also funds included for lighting and a concession stand at the football field, but nothing else.
To raise funds for other items at the football field, the district solicited donations from the public, Battenberg said.
Kuhn said the two big items related to sports that will need to be replaced soon is the track around the football field and the district’s tennis courts.
“The positive is, it’s not like its [track] been condemned, we can still run on the track,” Kuhn said. “We’re just trying to future plan five, six years from now, those large-scale projects.”
He added, “The tennis courts are almost unplayable for competitions at this point.”
Board member Christopher Hoffmann asked if the district was considering soliciting donations regardless of the outcome of a potential operational referendum.
“If you wanted my recommendation, we’d do it regardless, but I think the board needs to set some goals, and you need some clear numbers,” Kuhn said.
Hoffmann asked for verification as to whether the district has a tennis team or a tennis club.
Kuhn said the district has a tennis club, but he has heard that if there is enough interest next year, forming an official tennis team may be attempted.
Board Treasurer Jason Moder said the thinks a fundraising effort could be “something fun and exciting for the whole community to get involved in.”
Moder said naming rights to a field could be one way to raise money.
Board member Ben Huber said that has been discussed in the past and the district’s policies have been changed to allow for a naming rights deal.
“But I think what we have to do is figure out where we’re going and what exactly we need,” Huber said.
Board President Glen Drew Lundt asked, “How do we get this board to focus, set parameters and bring them to administration or committees or whatever, how do we get this process started to get this focus?”
Kuhn questioned the board, asking if it would be better to wait to begin working on soliciting sponsorships until after the results of the operational referendum question is known in April.
“I think if you start putting too many feelers out there, you’re going to confuse the community and people,” said Board Vice President Kris Strauman. “My feeling is, focus on the referendum. That other stuff we’ll deal with after April.”
Barkow said he agreed with Strauman.
Lundt said the message to the community could be that the district is responding to the community survey responses and changing its focus from a potential large athletic project to the operations of the district which focuses on the students.
“It’s not that we’re giving up on anything, it’s just that we’re being responsible and strategic,” Lundt said.
Kuhn said he does not believe it is “right” to let the district’s athletic facilities deteriorate.
“We can’t have unsafe facilities, but I think we need to have something decent,” Kuhn said.