Letter to editor: Athletes “asked, not required, to make a donation”

I always enjoy receiving my issue of the Castro Valley High School Olympian; however I must take issue with your article of Oct. 8, 2010, “Athletes charged up to $325.”

The California Constitution and the California Education Code prohibit school or school districts from charging any students to participate in any extra-curricular activity, including the athletic program, except in very limited situations.

Neither CVHS nor the CVUSD has asked any student to pay to participate in athletics and would not charge since it is prohibited under the California Constitution, which guarantees “a free and public education.”

Due to the ongoing California budget crisis, the CVUSD was forced to cut $5.1 million from the 2010-2011 budget after cutting $4 million from the 2009-2010 budget. One of the cuts was the elimination of all funding for the K-12 athletic program. As a result of these budget cuts, the athletic program at CVHS had to become self-sufficient and student athletes have been asked, not required, to make a donation, not “asked to pay,” to help keep the athletic programs alive and well.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the CVHS boosters, individual teams, and donations from the student-athletes, CVHS is able to offer a full athletic program this year. However, without the same effort next year, the athletic program will face cuts.

As a former coach, I wholeheartedly agree with you regarding the importance of an athletic program. However, as a superintendent faced with significant reductions to the academic program (i.e., seven period day, counselors, electives), my first job is to protect the academic program, which unfortunately meant cuts to the athletic program. While athletics and other extracurricular activities are important, our mission is educating students.

Castro Valley is fortunate to have a community that has stepped up to the plate and raised the funds to keep the athletic program alive this year. No student will be denied participation in the athletic program for financial reasons, but to maintain the athletic program in the future, we will need to have the same outstanding fundraising efforts.

Superintendent Jim Negri