1 Editorial

1 Editorial

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Choices

It will be unfortunate if those who want to promote enrichment of Ithe curriculum in the schools decide they must face off against those iwho hope to add football to the sports program. * The curriculum enrichment program was started as a volunteer fundraising effort to bring assembly programs to all grades in the schools. Wonderful programs have been made available and all public school students have benefited. By the second year, some county funds were provided in the school budget, but still most of the funds came from soliciting the community. A committee worked to see that offerings reached all students and provided a rich variety of programs, not just assemblies, but very interesting workshdps as well.

During the current year the offerings have increased, largely because fundraising efforts were magnified by the Faith Mountain Company's offer of proceeds from the catalog sale of one of Eric Kvames sun catchers. That was a one-time thing, and supporters are asking for an increase from $2,500 to $4,000 in the regular budget.

Of course that is small potatoes compared to the $400,000 plus it would probably take to start football, but that is entirely beside the :point. No one is suggesting that the School Board ask the taxpayers to •pick up the cost of getting football started. * The presentation made by Bonnie Loftort and friends to the School Board on football last week included a request to consider hiring a fundraiser to solicit the wider community for funds.

It does not seem likely at the current time that such a position will Ibe included in the next school budget, but if it were, it would only be a ♦matter of the county fronting the money. The first task of the fundrais*er would be covering his or her own salary.

The Rappahannock News is neither promoting nor opposing football. It is up to the ^ple of the county to decide if they believe ;adding football is something they want to support with their time and ^financial resources. ; There is powerful evidence that a successful high school football •program is a means of bringing a community together. But the evidence also suggests successful football programs do not just happen. In some sense the community togetherness fostered by football is necessary for football to be successful.

The supporters of an enriched curriculum have demonstrated widespread community support. School Board members were correct in suggesting supporters of football need to demonstrate a similar commitment in the county, but there is no;future in pitting one group dgainst the other.

If Rappahannock County is going to have a truly outstanding school system there are needs that go well beyond the resources taxpayers are ever going to willingly provide. People and groups in the rcounty can find many ways to help, and those with different interests Iwill find different ways. - The schools need the support of everyone.

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