Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
During the regular meeting of the Madison County District School Board on Monday, Aug. 4, the board decided to honor a request from Madison County High School (MCHS) Athletic Director Price Harris to raise the ticket prices for sporting events during the upcoming school year. The proposed new prices would be $10 per person for varsity football games and $7 per person for other varsity sporting events. Board Member VeEtta Hagan asked if Coach Harris would “give a quarter to the band?” Coach Harris responded by saying the he has been supportive of the band program in the past and would continue to do so, but he could not commit to giving a portion of the gate receipts to the band program. The band does receive the benefit of proceeds from the visitor’s side concession stand during varsity football games. Coach Harris stated the reason for the request was to help cover the rising costs of the athletic program, including the need for safer equipment. Coach Harris stated that last year, $20,000 was spent on sports other than football. Revenue from signage on the scoreboard is used to fund other sports such as girls’ volleyball, golf, track and others. The Board approved the price increase with a 3-2 vote, with Board Members Hagan and Carol Gibson casting the dissenting votes.
It was also decided that clear bags would be required for anyone bringing anything into Boot Hill Stadium during the football season. This is done primarily as a way of increasing security during sporting events.
During public comments, several students from the MCHS band program spoke to the board members. Among the concerns of the students were having to ride school buses to away football games, the fact the equipment truck used for the band program is 20 years old and is inoperable, lack of funding and a lack of drinking water and snacks. Anyone wishing to help the band program at MCHS can find more information about the Band Booster organization by emailing MCHS Director of Bands, Ethan Drost, at ethan.drost@mcsbfl.us.
Madison County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Karen Pickles, reminded parents that a separate form is needed for “Step Up” scholarships. This is a different form than those used for parents who are choosing to home school their students.
The next regular meeting of the Madison County District School Board is scheduled to take place on Monday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the board meeting room, located at 210 NE Duval Ave., in Madison.