Representatives of Santa Maria Joint Union High School District announced that the district will earmark $900,000 to help student engagement in extracurricular programs in order to build relationships, develop social and physical skills, and to stay involved in school.
The money will go toward funding athletic programs at the district’s three high schools, whereas in the past coaches had to fundraise and rely on admission fees. Revenue generated by sports will now go to the Associated Student Body (ASB) activities like leadership, dances, clubs, trips, and other events.
The earmarked funds are part of the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan. Every district in the state is required to have such a plan for funds it receives from the state via the state’s Local Control Funding Formula, which helps in the distribution of educational funds.
This article appears in Aug 20-27, 2015.