City cuts funds to Kids First programming

Clare Kennedy
Posted: Monday, June 8, 2009 10:28 pm

By CLARE KENNEDY

ckennedy@owatonna.com



OWATONNA — At the end of the month, the City of Owatonna will pull its financial support from the junior high sports program Kids First, which could mean higher fees for parents or cuts to the program schedule.

Until now, Kids First was an equal partnership between the city, the Owatonna school district, and Community Education. Each organization contributed $14,000 to the program’s budget, which amounted to more than $100,000 in the past year. Parents paid for the rest though activity fees.

Facing a punishing budget year and a dramatic loss in state support, the city instituted major budget cuts in early 2009, the brunt of which fell on the library and Parks and Recreation. The city’s financial contribution to Kids First was one of many line items that got the ax.

“It was a tough decision for us as a department,” said Jeff McKay the director of Parks and Recreation for the city.

But more is at stake than a mere $14,000. Since its inception in 1993, the city has handled the money, registration, scheduling and hiring for Kids First.

“They were responsible for all of the program’s operations,” said Dr. Tom Tapper, the superintendent of schools. “They committed a considerable amount of dollars in-kind with secretarial support and managerial oversight and so forth.”




The shortfall also leaves parents, coaches and kids alike wondering what the future may hold for Kids First. The news through the grapevine is inconsistent, said Steve Zappa, a parent who also coaches football for Kids First.

“One day it sounds good and the next it doesn’t,” Zappa said. “It’s  just an unknown. I think there are a lot of concerned people out there, not knowing where the fall programs are going to be.”

Tapper said Kids First will still be around come fall, but it will be greatly altered. The school district and Community Education will have to pick up the slack, but resources are scarce: The school district recently cut $2 million from its own budget.

Financially, the school district will pick up the city’s tab. Tapper said the district will take an additional $15,000 from their general fund to make up for the city’s portion of the cost.

From an administrative standpoint, Tapper said the program will be run out of Community Education.

“Community Ed appeared to have more staffing that could absorb that workload,” Tapper said. “But more importantly, they have a more natural communication vehicle with the registration guides in fall, winter and spring and various newsletters.”

So will parents see an increase in fees this year?

“No, not necessarily,” Tapper said. “That still leaves a fairly large gap in total cost. We’ll have them look at ways we can reduce our costs or increase our revenues. Right now we don’t anticipate that we will increase our fees.”

Tapper said they may shorten the season, reduce the practice schedule or assign more students per coach. They may also cancel some scheduled activities.

 “Up until this point in time we know (the city is) in the process of scheduling activities, and it’s easier to unschedule something than to schedule,” Tapper said. “Those are all decisions we need to make yet.”

On July 1, the city will formally bow out and the school district and Community Education will assume full responsibility for Kids First.

McKay said the city wishes Kids First well.

“We hope the program continues. It’s a crucial link,” McKay said. “And not just for the high school (sports) programs, but it’s at a crucial time in these kids’ age. Especially in this day and age when obesity is increasing out there, it’s important.”



Clare Kennedy can be reached at 444-2376.