Mandy ****** of Rumford, ME I can fully appreciate what you are saying and agree with it in part. I know for one thing that the reward of sporting events and the ability to participate keeps my son on top of his grades. I don't mind paying the fees or for the extra but the fact of the matter is that we spend our tax dollars foolishly on some people who are not very deserving. They cheat the system and this teaches them to become dependent. At least by investing in our kids we are teaching them to earn rewards by working hard. I would rather spend my money on my or someone else's kids than pay for some bimbo to have her 4th baby by the fourth father who is capable of working but chooses not too. By giving in to the system we are not helping people out of a tough spot but creating a dependence that goes on for generations. There are place to but back in the budget that will allow the schools to provide activities for the kids. Investing in our future is ALWAYS a good idea.report abuse

Kimberly Lyman of Carrabassett Valley/Caratunk, ME Mandy, There is a problem in that you seem to not realize that YOU can promote and encourage athletics to your own child. I wrote an email tonight to support our S.A.D administrator and my exact word pasted here: "My daughter is a senior and has participated in one sport or another for all four years and I do appreciate the contribution that belonging to sports organizations has made to her life, yet at the same time, can honestly say that if there were no free sports programs available through school, we would have found other ways to encourage athletics in her life and that is a freedom of choice every parent/family has the right to make, but it is not a right of us to insist the schools provide that as a service." I fully believe that and continue to involve my two younger children in sports activities outside of the school district. The educational system does not owe you or your child anything more than just that: an education. Will you teach your children to live within their means? To only spend the amount of money that exists in their checking account and that when the money is low, that they will have to prioritize their spending? That is what our collective school district will need to do. I hope our district is on the move and ahead of the curve, setting the example. Kids can organize social games and activities without traveling all over the state to do it, and will adapt to the changes made and may well benefit from those changes.report abuse

Mandy ****** of Rumford, ME Another reality is, that colleges look for students with well rounded backgrounds. That includes athletics. How do you expect to have your child get into a high level college without extracurricular activities? How about that these after school activities encourage kids to stay off the streets and out of trouble? The very same people who b*tch and moan about the " laziness and obesity problem" in our young people are the ones trying to get these programs cut. They can't have it both ways. I firmly believe that athletics builds character and ethics. Just as I believe that music and drama are beneficial to a well rounded education. The anount of taxes that I pay to contribute to the school could double and I wouldn't complain if I could be guaranteed that the money would go there. I still add to the programs as I said before by participation fees and equipment. Maybe by educating and nurturing our young people we could break the cycle of welfare families by showing them that they can rise above their circumstance. They need more than the 3 R's.report abuse

2dogsinheat of Seminole, FL The students are entitled to equal as the rest of the nation's students.A better start would tax area's that are not.End all loop holes start with all church's and thier holding's.End free rides for not for profit groups most of it is BS SOMEONE IS ALLWAYS GONNA MAKE A BUC.report abuse