South Salem High School’s Teagan Scott, ’26, looks to score from beneath the basket. Photo taken by Charles Squires
Salem-Keizer’s Annual Budget: Complicated and Expensive
Finding themselves implicated with the restrictions of their annual budget, Superintendent Andrea Castañeda and her Salem-Keizer associates have drawn up various strategies to limit their forthcoming debts. These debts are from canceled government-allocated COVID-19 relief funds, funding ending after the 2023-2024 school year.
Although the first-round budget cuts reached the public in November and December of 2023, an estimated 40 million dollars will still face elimination from the expenditure. Throughout the release of these reductions, it was made clear that their goal was to maintain student education while removing the district from a jeopardized position.
While we do not doubt the administration’s competence on this topic, we acknowledge that assessing a 40-million-dollar situation is stressful and may result in flaws. With this in mind, we stand to protect vital and contributing aspects of the Salem-Keizer School District. Notably, this includes safeguarding the funding of athletic programs and their existence across the district.
Are School-Sanctioned Athletics Valuable Enough To Dodge Budge Cuts?
We view the existence of funded athletic programs as vital for academic and post-secondary success. We take this stance due to the mental improvement achieved once exercise has become consistent.
“Even a single bout of physical activity will improve memory and what we call executive function, which is basically the ability to make decisions and juggle a lot at once. Long-term [exercise] is associated with much better school and academic performance,” Timothy Olds, PhD, said in LaKeisha Fleming’s “Physical Activity Has Decreased in Children But Increased in Parents.”
Additionally, research shows that participation in high school athletics can positively affect students. Students can draw away life skills and strategies from these athletic opportunities.
“Three of the most important participation takeaways that students continue to practice after graduation are a stronger sense of self-confidence in building relationships with others and having an expanded capacity for empathy; developing a better understanding of self and in so doing understanding how their actions affect others and building foundations for lifelong fitness habits,” Dr. Steve Amaro, CMAA, said in “Participation in High School Athletics Has Long-lasting Benefits.”
Physical Activity and Academic Success Pair Nicely
While the educational system needs to care for students’ well-being, their primary focus will always be on academic success. We speak about this point in a positive light and encourage the spotlight on successful academics. As more research shows, the link between consistent exercise and higher academic achievements and grade point averages is strong.
“Students with a grade point average above 3.5 were 3.2 times more likely to be regular exercisers than those with grade point averages under 3.0,” Mike McKenzie, PhD, said in “How Can Exercise Improve Your Academic Performance” by Terri Williams.
Going Without Sport Programs Means Less Students Meet Government Recommendations
As the positivity of exercise has achieved validity, we find that all Salem-Keizer students should have access to athletic programs. We feel that in-school physical education classes are not often enough for students as they may not occur daily or for an adequate duration. Moreover, physical education classes appear far less on high school students’ schedules and transcripts due to the requirement of only two courses for graduation. When put on paper, this shows that students are only required to take a physical education course during two of their eight high school semesters. Although we have no problem with this, it demonstrates the prevalence of Salem-Keizer adolescents not partaking in adequate physical activity.
“Issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services, it is recommended that children and adolescents ages six through 17 years do 60 minutes (one hour) or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily,” The United States Department of Health and Human Services said in “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition.”
Personal Connections to District Athletics
Knowing this recommended time period, the thought that most students would not meet this requirement without athletic programs is easy to comprehend. Due to this, we believe having and protecting athletic programs fills this void and is beyond valuable. Programs that serve students sufficiently, like athletics, must remain intact if the district wishes to produce all-around students.
Along with the proven scientific standpoint, we take this dilemma personally as we participate in school athletics. Amid our athletic seasons, we have discovered countless friendships that have built intra-competition chemistry, manufactured team spirit and helped create a sense of community. While we cannot speak for all community members, we anticipate that the majority will agree with our statement that athletics creates important bonds. Bonds like these between athletes, coaches and teams are what sway the high school experience and make for an enlightened student. To even consider removing or de-funding this integral facet of the Salem-Keizer community would be an indescribable blunder.
Money Does Not Grow on Trees, Especially Not Here
For further negatives regarding this possibility, we consider the monetary aspects as this is a financially rooted problem. According to the United States Census Bureau, the average household incomes of Salem and Keizer are 67,540 and 75,753 dollars, respectively. Furthermore, the combined total of both cities is 71,646.50 dollars. Regarding national rank, these cities fall beneath the 50 percentile by 2,933.50 dollars. Following this idea that Salem-Keizer households possess less-than-average wealth, it would be unjust to resort parents to enrolling students in costly club sports. Following a pathway of this nature would lead to the financial instability of parents and the disruption of Salem-Keizer students’ lives.
