School program cuts

If you listen in to any classroom discussions or happen to hear some teachers talking, it’s likely you may find people buzzing about the cuts the A-J school board is making to many of the school’s extracurriculars.

Many are enraged at the idea of the school musical only receiving funding for every other year, and having no pep band to cheer on our Wildcats at the football or basketball games, but there are a lot of people who just don’t know the whole story.

The football team, cheerleading squad, golf, basketball and wrestling teams are all losing coaches. The dance team, speech team and cross country are being cut from the budget all together. And there will no longer be a post for the assistant principal, so don’t think money is just being taken from sports and music.

A large part of the A-J community is upset at these losses, and with good reason. It’s not fair to the teachers, and not good for the students.

These teams and clubs are some students’ only motivation for doing well in school, and they make a difference in salaries for our educators. I understand that money is tight and spending needs to be curbed, but surely there are other areas that could be considered.

However, I feel that it’s important to note that not one single group of our school is being targeted, and no favoritism is being shown. The money is simply not there, and everyone has to make sacrifices.

(Amber Skelton is a junior at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.)