Some schools cutting activities, Century REQUIRING participation

FELDY: So at a time when many smaller school districts in the state are being forced to cut extracurricular activities for budget purposes (including Grand Meadow), Century High School will now begin requiring freshmen to participate in some activity.

Both of those articles make me a little uneasy. After reading today's Star Tribune story about a few of the small schools in the state that are planning to cut programs next school year, it's really disappointing that kids aren't going to be able to play sports they want to. For example, no baseball, softball or golf will be offered at Grand Meadow next year. Crosby-Ironton could possibly cut its basketball program. I can't imagine how that would fly in a small town. The team was the state runner-up two months ago in Class AA, for cryin' out loud, and now they may not have a program?

Who's to blame in these situations? The school district for not doing enough to juggle its budget or increase fees? People who live in these towns for not agreeing to property tax hikes? State or national government for not providing enough funding?

I'm not sure who we should be upset with here. You really can't blame the school district -- believe me, I have relatives who work in small-town school districts that face budget battles ever year. Deciding to cut any jobs or programs is not an easy decision. And school district administrators and school board members can never make decisions about their budgets that will please everyone. I can't blame taxpayers, either. With the state of our economy right now, who wants to see their property taxes go up again?

NOW, AS FOR THE CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL article, I have a couple of problems with this. No. 1, you're talking about freshmen, most of whom aren't driving to school. Are you going to run later buses to get these kids home after their activity? How much are you going to increase fees? What if a kid has to work? What if a kid has to get home to babysit a brother or sister?

I understand the philosophy behind this move -- keeping kids involved with their peers keeps them out of trouble -- but requiring kids to spend even more of their time at school each day is ridiculous. Their are plenty of family situations that require that kids be home immediately after school.