Harding gets money for freshman football
The plan, approved by a 6-3 vote, does not include Bassick or Central high schools, nor any of the other sports cut from the cash-starved district over the past several years — just Harding football.
BRIDGEPORT — A city school board still trying to find millions in cuts to balance next year’s budget has added $3,500 to the bottom line to fund freshman football at Harding High School.
The plan, approved by a 6-3 vote, does not include Bassick or Central high schools, nor any of the other sports cut from the cash-starved district over the past several years — just Harding football.
“No one else asked me,” said Chris Taylor, the board member who brought the proposal to the full panel on Monday. Taylor said he was approached and convinced by Harding football coaches that funding a freshman squad would be a good investment.
Taylor said he was told 99 percent of freshmen who sign up for football tend to be more productive in the classroom, are more likely to graduate and become productive members of society.
Other board members wondered about other schools and other activities.
“What about arts?” asked Ben Walker, a board member who also teaches music in Greenwich.
Board Vice Chairman Hernan Illingworth said he agreed there should be more arts, but said if the panel would just buckle down and make tough cuts to central office staff, there would be enough to provide more activities for students.
“We still have to cut $2 million,” board member Maria Pereira said of the idea of adding football. Previously she has suggested turning all district athletics into a pay-to-play operation.
“In May and June we don’t have (substitute teachers),” Pereira said. “We are headed in the wrong direction.”
Board member Dennis Bradley said Harding is known for its football.
“We should invest in what made Harding great,” he said.
Athletic Director Chris Johnson agreed football gives students a positive outlet. But he questioned if $3,500 would be enough to fund the team when travel, security and uniforms are factored in. One new helmet costs $200.
Johnson said he also said he worried about equity.
Central, Johnson said, has 45 to 50 freshmen who regularly come out for foot- ball although there is no freshman squad.
“Everybody has an excuse not to do something,” Taylor said, addressing Johnson. “All I hear in Bridgeport are reasons why we can’t do things. Never do I hear someone say, ‘Board Member Taylor, I will make it work because I am dedicated.’ I hope your name is not on our budget list. That is all I have to say to you.”
Other board members called Taylor’s comments outrageous.
Johnson’s position is already one of the many positions slated to be cut next year, a decision made more than a month ago.
An attempt to table the proposal until the board settles on a 2017-18 budget failed on a 6-3 vote. Pereira, Walker and Joe Sokolovic were on the losing side of the vote.
By the same 6-3 tally the board voted in favor of Taylor’s proposal. Siding with Taylor were Chairman John Weldon, Illingworth, Secretary Jessica Martinez, Bradley and Sybil Allen.