Budget cuts for education hitting school athletics

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The phone rings, and David Harlow picks up. <br><br>It's part of his job description. No secretary answering calls for the Wagoner superintendent. The financial crisis that's

Friday, November 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The phone rings, and David Harlow picks up.

It's part of his job description. No secretary answering calls for the Wagoner superintendent. The financial crisis that's punched Oklahoma's schools has hit Harlow's school hard. And when the secretary of 30 years retired at the end of the last school year, she wasn't replaced.

``I've learned how to type a little bit better recently,'' said Harlow, who answered the line after just one ring recently. ``I've gotten a little better on the phone, too.''

After the most recent round of state funding cuts two weeks ago, Harlow is trying to find a way to run his district with nearly $1 million less than Wagoner had in 2001-02.

The budget is tight, and athletics haven't been spared.

Cuts so severe the Wagoner athletic department no longer has track, tennis and golf teams.

``None of us like that,'' Harlow said. ``But with the current financial conditions, we're going to have to cut somewhere.''

The Northeast Oklahoma school isn't alone. Districts throughout Oklahoma are struggling. Athletic budgets have already been trimmed, with schools still looking for ways to save money.

Those schools may soon get help, whether some want it or not, from the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. The governing body of high school sports could make a decision in early December impacting every school in Oklahoma and thousands of athletes who participate in spring sports.

``This is an emergency situation,'' OSSAA executive secretary Danny Rennels said. ``We have heard stories in this office where schools don't have copying paper for their classroom instruction. When those stories are true, activities and athletics have to step up to the plate and help solve these problems.''

OSSAA is considering reducing the length of spring sports seasons in an effort to save schools money. Cutting sports would alarm many at almost any other time, but administrators seem solidly behind the move. And coaches, even the ones whose seasons would be cut, are putting up little resistance.

The situation has reached critical levels, and they know it.

With the frustration of a man who has bills to pay and not enough money to pay them, John Little talks about recent cuts made to athletics in the Muskogee school district.

If a Muskogee team is traveling out of town, the booster club has to pay for it. Team meals? The booster club pays for it. Substitute teachers to fill in for coaches? Sure, as long as the booster club pays for it.

``We've already told our athletic department they have to do it or face total elimination of those programs,'' said Little, Muskogee's chief financial officer. ``We'll pay for the officials, security, and the necessary supplies. That's the last step before you cancel the sports.''

At Edmond Public Schools, the athletic department has quit paying for overnight trips and team meals.

``That saved us quite a bit,'' athletic director Robert McPherson said.

Those savings are a small fraction of the amount of money the state has cut from schools' budgets. But any savings help. Which is why Muskogee and other districts have taken action, and why the state association has, too.

If the association receives a majority vote from member schools, something Rennels expects, the OSSAA board of directors will have the authority to change the length of spring sports seasons in slow-pitch softball, baseball and soccer. The association already has the power to alter the length of seasons in golf, tennis and track. Spring sports are the target of cuts, partly because of the timing and partly because, in most cases, those sports don't generate money for their schools.

Rennels said he expects cuts of seasons to be across-the-board, possibly 20-25 percent of all spring sports.

``There's not going to be one (sport) singled out and get half their schedule cut, and another gets cut two games,'' Rennels said. ``It's going to be something as uniform as possible.''

The association's actions will be watched closely.

And while no coaches want their season garnished, all will tell you sports isn't as important as academics. With changes pending, coaches agree something needs to be done.

One plan circulating is that the baseball season will be cut from 28 regular-season games to 22.

``I'm hoping they don't cut games,'' Yukon baseball coach Larry McVay said of the OSSAA limiting his team's season. ``I'd rather see the schools govern themselves and not let Big Brother do it.''

At perennial baseball power Dale, coach Bruce Throckmorton says he has no issue with cuts of games.

``If the classrooms are being cut, we as coaches, will do anything possible to make education first,'' Throckmorton said. ``If we have to cut 10 games to keep our classrooms supplied, we'll cut 15.''

Rennels said weather could eliminate some contests for schools. Instead of postponing events, simply cancel them.

``I think those are details that may be somewhat of a problem but aren't major obstacles,'' Rennels said. ``I think we leave the flexibility in there that's always been in there to eliminate the games or the matches or the contests that works the best locally.''

Athletic departments are in an unenviable situation. How to cut when there's not much to cut?

``I would be in favor of anything that doesn't eliminate sports,'' Norman's Parmley said. ``If we have to cut back in order to keep from eliminating, then yes, I would be in favor of it.

``I would rather cut back across the board than to totally eliminate some sports.''

That's what it will likely come to.

At Yukon, McVay already has considered such options as reducing the freshman and junior varsity schedule and using just one umpire instead of two at baseball games.

At Dale, a school that doesn't have the money maker of football to help the budget, Throckmorton said his team will rarely travel during school hours and may consider playing Saturday games to alleviate the usage of substitute teachers.

``The biggest thing is scheduling,'' Throckmorton said. ``Travel, playing teams that are closer and maybe playing Saturdays and during spring break. You have to take advantage and play on the days that don't affect the school day. Scheduling is a way to save money.''

Initially, the OSSAA contemplated mandating spring sports be played Saturdays. That won't happen this school year.

``It may very well be considered for following years,'' Rennels said. ``It's not going to be now because we realize some schedules are set.''

That's part of the uncertain future facing all sports in the next few months.

``I haven't heard anybody at the state department guarantee us there will be no more cuts,'' Muskogee's Little said. ``If they cut in December, January or February, there's still an opportunity to cancel spring sports.''