Coach,

I would talk to your senator, legislative people, governor, county commission, the school district is the anchor and heart and sole of counties with a smaller population. The 1990 census showed that Republic County had 6,482 residents and the 2000 census showed the county with 5,835 residents a decline of 647 people or 9.9% over the 10 year period. If the school board decides to cut programs (whatever they may be) families will move possibly. Which means the county goverment tax base will also decline if the current residents move out of their house or pick up and leave their business and start it some where else. I am assuming Republic County is predominately agricultural. I doubt if people will pick up and leave the family farm but they might. How many schools in Republic County offer HS wrestling?
How many schools in surrounding counties offer HS wrestling? I know distance would be a problem - but could 2 or 3 schools join forces to offer one wrestling program. Or is the school district considering dropping all sports? How much does the program cost to run or how much money does the school district needs to cut? Could the county impose a 1 percent sales tax on goods purchased in the county dedicated to the school district. That way people who visit or pass through Republic county who purchase gas, food, whatever help to pay for certain programs. Their are grants (from urban foundations)for rural counties. The problem with those you have to apply every year and you need someone who knows where to find those grants and then apply for them. The county government should have a person who applys for grants on behalf of the county residents, for roads, bridges, water projects, the school should also have a person who does this type of work for school lunch program, and other programs. Just a bunch of ideas. My brother and I talked about this a year ago (budget cuts in schools) he lives in an urban area in Wisconsin and we both believe that sports programs will be more clubs like USA Wrestling running the High School Programs in the future. It may be designed more like programs in Europe - I think almost everything over in European countries are sponsered by businesses and run as a club. It is a shame but I do believe it is just the beginning.