The story
The school board is cutting $1.3 million from their budget, and it kind of sucks.
Remind me
The town voted down the school board’s proposed budget two weeks ago, so they are now going to a default budget of $73.6 million (which is less than the 2019 budget).
So…cuts?
We’re not getting a dust collector system, new science textbooks, the gym floor resurfaced, and crew lost some money. And, while we are up in arms about the dust collector system, the biggest loss is the cut on returfing the football field.
Ummm who cares?
Approximately six BHS sports (16 if you count every level), several BHS/RAL PE classes, and the town teams that also use the high school field when they get the chance. It’s dangerous to not replace the turf when it’s getting worn down. The older the turf, the less cushion there is between users and the underlying rock surface, resulting in harder impacts－concussions, broken bones, etc.
Then why’d they cut it?
Returfing the field costs about $500,000. It’s pretty understandable that they cut it. It was either this or multiple cuts adding up to $500,000. And, they’re pretty insistent on academics first. But, reality still bites.
So we’re good for another year?
They’re hoping so. The board is leaving in $25,000 for maintenance, and checking quarterly to make sure the field is still usable. As we heard from board member Bill Foote, there is some life still remaining in the turf; it’s not yet at the point of game use only. Though, we don’t know what’s going to happen if it’s deemed unusable. And that’s not just a school thing－insurance will not allow BHS teams to use the field if it gets to a certain point. We really just need it to last one more school year (but that’s only out of hope that a budget covering the returfing passes next year).
Anything else?
It could suck to be anything but a BHS sport. Due to the “dying” turf, the school board has discussed only allowing high school sports to use the field, which would deny access to town teams. Interesting, right? What’s that thing called when it comes full circle? Karma? This denied access would actually be a little more problematic since the rehab of Sportsman Field was also shot down by voters. It’s unknown whether the discussion pertains to the BHS and Lurgio gyms, which both had their needed floor resurfacing cut.
The Runaway
Our football field is on life support right now. Please, please vote to put it out of its misery next year and buy a new one. And next time, someone better remember to water the field.
What to say…
When you have nightmares about robots taking over the world…
Looks like the robotics team is making that a reality. The team had its state competition this past weekend, and broke some glass ceilings. This year’s challenge is space-themed, and requires the robots to cover hatches with panels, shoot balls into different openings, and climb onto platforms of various heights. We’re not exactly sure why this makes the challenge space-themed, but what do we know? Maybe NASA is pouring billions of dollars into shooting balls into holes. The team never dropped below eighth, and ended in first. They are currently ranked 26th in New England, so they have a pretty good chance of going to regionals, for the first time EVER. So what’s changed this year? They gained a lot talented members, and they changed up their strategy.
When you don’t like a practice or policy…
Complain. A lot. Or, do something about it! Last week, senior Raiden Ferreira proposed to the school board to add gender neutral bathrooms at BHS. The proposal was merely to gain community support, rather than for the school board to vote on. The board was incredibly supportive, and teachers are fairly supportive (70 percent for, 15 percent outright against), but students are pretty split. 50 percent are for it, and 40 percent are outright against it. So next steps? Widespread support isn’t necessary for action. Mr. Hagen is talking to the maintenance manager about changing the locks on a staff bathroom on each floor as soon as possible so that they can function as gender neutral.
When you really hate change in any way, shape, or form…
Brace yourself. Spike has retired with the end of the third quarter, and will be replaced by Officer Eli Krause. Now, we don’t really no how this works. Are we supposed to give him a nickname? Nail? Thorn? Prickle? Though, we do have to say, something is in the air. Stank left, Spike left, Hagen’s leaving－it’s too much to handle.
Things to Know
Screw Homework
There’s a jazz band concert tonight at 6:00 in the BHS theater!
It’s a Battle!
Battle of the Bands is this Friday at 7:00 in the theater! Go, listen, and vote. It’s a dream come true! You’re getting asked to judge people.