Matt Bergmann knows the value of extracurricular activities for students.

He also knows nothing is guaranteed to be spared when the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School Board has to make cuts to emerge from and stay out of statutory operating debt.

“At ACGC, we believe that strong extracurriculars are a vital part of offering an overall education for our students. It is a supplement to the classroom and promotes learning as an extension of the school day,” said Bergmann, ACGC’s athletic director.

However, when money is tight, tough choices have been and will continue to be made.

Bergmann plans to conduct a meeting at 7:30 p.m. today (May 14) at ACGC Junior-Senior High School to inform the public on the status and future of extracurricular activities at ACGC.

Extracurricular activities have not been spared in the past few years as the ACGC School Board reduces expenses and finds ways to bring in revenue.

“We’ve lost knowledge bowl, math league and cross country,” Bergman said. “We want to let people know where we stand after years of cuts.”

Bergmann also wants to develop “a vision of how to carry on the strong tradition of excellence in our programs that we offer,” Bergmann said.

Parents, coaches, staff and the public have donated time, money and energy to support the school’s many extracurricular activities. Bergmann would like the public to realize just how much is donated and how important that support is continued in the wake of possibly more cuts.

“We have had so many parents put in extra time and donate to make it look like it’s well-funded. And we’re very fortunate to have great coaches and great staff.”

The meeting is one week prior to the levy referendum May 21, as school officials try to share facts and dispel myths about the need for voters to support an excess levy.

“If we don’t get the (levy) passed, there will be cuts — extracurricular activities are not a sacred cow,” Bergmann said.
Also at the meeting, “we will look at what the cuts have cost us,” Bergman said. Cutting after-school programs has resulted in the loss of some students, he said, and meant fewer opportunities for students who have stayed in the district.

School Board chairwoman Judy Raske also sees the value of extracurricular activities.

However, if voters reject the proposed levy, as has happened four times since 2005, “everything is on the table at that point. We can’t rule anything out,” Raske said.