Dance Team Cut in Budget Cuts

Number Seven in a Series about ACSD Cuts to the Budget

The AHS Dance Team was cut in the 2015-16 budget cuts.  At this time, it is not known whether the dance team will be back in later years or not.

The AHS Dance Team was cut in the 2015-16 budget cuts. At this time, it is not known whether the dance team will be back in later years or not.

by Kelbe Flathers

The AHS dance team was cut from the 2015-16 budget at the ACSD board meeting on Feb. 9. The board made more than $682,000 in cuts, including eliminating the two-year-old dance team.

The school cut head coach Emily Brown’s position, although the cut was not listed specifically on the list of budget reduction recommendations. Instead, Brown’s position was grouped with several assistant coaches’ positions, under the category of “Reduce Number of Assistant Coaching Positions.”

Because it was not listed separately, few people in the crowd realized the dance program was on the list of cuts until moments before the vote.

According to activities director Matt Alexander, “Previously, we discussed ways to keep the dance team and combine flags and dance team, but the funding from dance was cut.” Principal Heather McKay said, “I would like to see more numbers. It helps to substance the numbers.”

The team has a total of 7 members. The school had only been paying minimum transportation, and now members will have to find personal transportation for their competitions. The dancers have been paying out of pocket for their costumes and shoes.

Alexander would like AHS students to know that he hopes the dance team sticks around for years to come. Alexander said, ”I enjoy watching the team, the crowd loves it, and I can just see the talent that they have.” He also said he would like to see more dancers from the surrounding studios in Atlantic try it out.