As needs of our students in extracurricular programs evolve, the Administration and Board has to consider additions or deletions of activities in relation to the benefits and costs of the programs. Although the Board and staff would like to offer programs for every interest or talent, we need to prioritize District commitments for the greatest benefit to students.  The method for assessing the addition or deletion of District-sponsored competitive activities shall follow the steps below.

 

Factors to consider in assessing the need and viability of NEW programs for which financial support and status of representing Parma High School are sought include:

 

A petition of eligible students within the Parma High School who commit to participate will evidence this need.  The number of such petitioners must exceed twice the number for a playing team.  For activities not requiring a specific number of students for a “team,” the number on the petition must exceed 15.  The petition must be presented to the Board of Trustees by the regular February Board meeting of the year preceding the desired year of inception.  Such petition must be presented to the superintendent by the Tuesday preceding the February regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Parma School District.

 

The petition shall include:

 

1.      A description of the program/sport being sought, season or time required, etc.;

2.      A rationale for including the program/sport;

3.      Cost and revenue estimates to operate the program/sport;

4.      Signatures of students currently attending Parma School District in grades 8-11 who would be eligible and are interested

          in participating in the program;

5.      The name of a spokesperson for the group seeking sponsorship;

6.      The history of student involvement in the activity, interest and prognosis for the future;

7.      The availability of qualified teachers, coaches or advisors.

 

A report of the level of participation for each district-sponsored competitive program will be made to the Board in a regular open meeting of the Board of Trustees within one month of the conclusion of each season.  The report shall be given by the Athletic Director for all sports and by the Principal for any other IHSAA activity, and shall include:

 

1.      The numbers of students who participated in the program/sport during the season or year;

2.      Cost and revenue estimates to operate the program/sport;

3.      An assessment of the program’s success;

4.      The availability of qualified teachers, coaches or advisors;

5.      The status of the program for the succeeding year, meaning whether the program is on probation status for numbers or

          viability.

 

To maintain a sport already approved, there must be a minimum number of students to play plus an additional 50%.  If those numbers aren’t sustained for two consecutive years, the program will be dropped for the next year unless the Board intervenes.

 

The program must be affordable in tandem with other commitments of District resources on a permanent basis. Reliance on outside resources, continual student fund-raisers or one-time funds is not acceptable for sustainability, although donations are not prohibited.  While changing values or needs may warrant the demise of some programs, consideration must be given to overall impact of each activity on others.

 

 

None

 

ADOPTED: February 9, 2004