Schools

NKHS Hockey, Gymnastics Hope For Funding This Year

Funding for the two programs was cut in 2012 as a cost-saving move.

One year after the School Committee cut funding for hockey and gymnastics teams at North Kingstown High School, the two teams are holding fundraising events for the coming year, but also hoping that school funding will be at least partially restored.

Both Supt. Phil Auger and School Committee President Kim Page said they would like to be able to provide funds to at least pay for coaches for the two sports. Funding was cut for the 2012-13 school year as a cost-saving measure.

“We cut it last year based on the superintendent’s and the athletic director’s recommendation. They are the two sports with the least amount of people and the greatest expense,” said Page. “It’s not like we wanted to do that. But we had to find savings.”

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Noting that after-school sports are extracurriculars, she added, “We have to put our first funds towards education.”

“I know the committee and I are very interested in bringing back funding to at least pay for coaches,” said Supt. Auger. “We are waiting for our contract negotiations to be done,” he said, referring to negotiations over the teachers contract, which expires Sept. 1. Representatives from the union, the administration and the School Committee have been meeting since the winter on the contract.

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The reason hockey and gymnastics were targeted is because they both require off-campus rentals, Auger said. Costs for most extracurricular sports involve coach salaries, uniforms, equipment, and transportation, but not off-campus rentals. Up until last year, the sailing team was the only team that relied on parental support and fundraising.

“If we’re able to find savings, we would like to have all our sports funded on a more equitable footing,” said Page. 

Faced with the specter of no season, the NKHS hockey team took up fundraising with gusto last year. Their slogan this year? “Save Our Sport (SOS): NK Hockey Is Skating On Thin Ice.” They were at the Wickford Art Festival selling bottled water to a thirsty crowd and they have several other fundraisers scheduled in coming months, according to hockey parent Pam Stamp.

Hockey parents Bob Nabb and Greg Mancini wrote this about their efforts:

“Last year, the team finished first in Division 2 South and made it to the semi-final playoffs where they played an exciting three-game series versus Prout in front of almost 1,000 spectators at the URI Boss Ice Arena.  The NKHS student body support of the hockey team was noted by many outside of the NK community for the size and support displayed. The almost 30-strong hockey team members are going to do whatever is necessary to ensure they are able to represent their high school on the ice for the 2013-14 season.”

School Committee’s Page acknowledged there are some in the community who have different ideas about how to save money so sports like hockey and gymnastics could be funded, but she said the committee was relying on the administration.

“That is why we hired the superintendent – to give us what he thinks is the best recommendation,” Page said.



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