In the past few days and weeks I have heard much discussion, debating and, quite frankly, arguing, over the upcoming Mingo County excess school levy that is on the ballot before the voters later this week in a special election here in the county. Even on our website’s guestbook a war of words has been raging over the levy.

I must admit that, being a sports editor, I have found it rather interesting that one obvious question has not been put forward nor any answer given. The question? Can Mingo County Schools afford to continue to have prep athletics without the excess school levy?

Now the argument could be made that among all the things the levy funds, athletics is perhaps the last thing that should be considered. Given that textbooks and libraries and all the other “academic” items are there, it may seem that athletics should not be a consideration. And that argument would hold water except for the fact that no program so directly impacts and supports the academic and social atmosphere of a school as does it’s athletic programs nor provides as much in the way of after-school guidance for students.

So having established tat athletics is as important a component of the levy as anything else, the question remains, can we afford athletics in Mingo Schools without the levy?

Well, let’s look at what the levy funds for athletics. First of all, salaries for all 89 athletic coaching positions in Mingo County Schools comes directly from the excess school levy. That includes all of the high school and middle school head coaches (including cheer coaches), all of the paid assistant coaches, all of the athletic trainers and the athletic directors in each high school. That’s 100% funded - not partially, but completely.

Next, each high school receives $10,000.00 dollars per year and each middle school receives $6,000.00 to help off-set the cost of equipment and other athletic program associated costs. One of those costs is mandatory before any student can practice in August in any sport - insurance to cover injury to the school’s athletes. That cost is $1,900.00 per year per high school and middle school and comes out of that $10,000.00 and $6,000.00.

One principal indicated that her school definetly could not absorb the loss of that money. “ We just don’t have it. We spend our money at the school level on necessary safety equipment such as reconditioning of equipment.” said Matewan High Principal Marcella Charles when asked if her school could afford to pay the insurance out of school funds. “If we spend what little school money we generate through the gate on the insurance, who’s going to pay for those things?”

“We can’t come up with money to make up for that type of money.” said gilbert Principal Daniel Dean. “We barely take in enough on ticket sales to take care of travel cost, let alone equipment and other things.”

Williamson Principal Johnny Branch said that his school could continue to offer their athletics program at the same level but “only because of the work of our booster organization, the Williamson Athletic Committee (W.A.C). We’ve got about the same amount of funds in athletics that we started with but only because of the W.A.C.’s work and the fact that we’ve been blessed with some good gates.”

“We may not be able to buy new travel and home uniforms as we have.” said Dean.

“We have expanded our sports, even offering junior varsity sports. “said Charles.”We’re having trouble with athletic revenues now. So if we are minus the $10,000.00 from the levy, where will we be?”

The levy also provides $30,000 dollars used for facility rental and $34,000.00 used to support the athletic programs with facility upgrades, maintenence and limited travel funding for the school’s sports programs.

Without those monies, facilities the board leases or contributes funds to use in several communities would not be there. And as if the school’s don’t have enough trouble meeting the cost of transportation for athletics now, take away what few monies they get from the levy.

And how about retaining quality coaches when they will be asked to work for no pay? “A number of coaches won’t want to coach in an unfunded and non-paid system.”said Charles. “We already have problems getting quality applicants for coaching because the salaries are so low.”

That’s not to say that some wouldn’t stay. “If they’re coaching just for the salary they’re making now, most wouldn’t be coaching.” said Branch. But as Dean pointed out “I’ve talked to a couple who won’t continue because they’re using their coaching salary to help on retirement and other things.”

Many counties that have lost excess school levies have had to adopt “Pay to Play” systems where students who want to compete pay a student participation fee to cover the cost of the athletics program. “There are students who could pay, but not all could due to the economic recession.” said Charles. “They’re the ones who probably need to participate the most.” All the principal’s talked to said they would be reluctant to adopt this if the levy failed, choosing rather to ask the communities for help.

That’s what they are doing now. Asking the communities for help - by continuing the excess levy.

It makes no sense, no matter how you feel about consolidation or what political side of the coin you’re on. The levy needs to continue. The students stand to lose too much. Don’t take away opportunities from our student-athletes. They’re the ones in the middle in this mess. Get out and vote for the levy - for them.

That’s how I see it from the other side of the desk. See ya down the road.