The Lewis and Clark Conference met last night in Wayne. There was some concern with the Conference financial situation. In February 2008 the conference had a balance of $19,275. In 2009 that amount dropped to $12,176. The 2010 balance is $9,986, but we have not paid the over $3000 in mileage to conference schools for travel during the basketball tournament. That would bring the balance down in the $6,000 range. In April we will be deciding whether or not to pay the mileage reimbursement and looking at ways to reduce costs.
The financial problem is a result of lower income from the conference tournament (not as many people attending tournament games) and the increased cost of officials. When officiating crews went to 3 man crews, it added $100 to the cost of each two game contract. Considering that our tournament contracts for 16 first round boys and girls games; 8 nights of second round, semi-finals and finals; and 2 nights of loser bracket games, that results in $2600 in additional costs each year. One suggestion that will be looked at seriously is to eliminate the junior varsity games and go to first round games at four sites. That will eliminate the need for 8 sets of officials (although we may lose some attendance).
Coleridge announced that they plan to co-op all activities with Laurel-Concord next year. If the NSAA approves the co-op, Coleridge will be dropping out of the Lewis and Clark Conference.
Allen Public School asked to be put in the rotation to host conference volleyball and basketball tournament games. Allen will be expanding the size of their gymnasium this summer and will be able to hold 800 spectators.
