Club and sports team members discussed the budget for the 2015-2016 school year on May 18 in room 120. The meeting began at 6 p.m. and lasted until approximately 7:20 p.m.
When the meeting began, the Executive Associated Student Body (ASB) handed out the proposed budget and then explained the format.
According to Executive ASB President Liya Ewing, Executive ASB held a meeting with MTHS Athletic Secretary Nadine Coombs and MTHS Athletic Director Kim Stewart earlier this month to create a budget.
Each club or sport sent in a request for how much money they would like from ASB for the following year and then Executive ASB, Coombs and Stewart decided on how much money would be given to each based on expected revenue and requests from other clubs.
After an initial look-over, the budget was opened for discussion. Executive ASB answered questions regarding why some budgets were cut and why some were raised. During this discussion, several shifts were made to the budget.
Executive ASB fully explained why the budget was presented the way it was. Officers said that the budget was just a prediction and not everything would remain the same over the course of the 2015-2016 school year. If needed, a club or sport may “dip into” another set fund.
“This budget isn’t set in stone,” Ewing said. “We don’t actually know what’s going to happen next year.”
They also said that every year holds unexpected changes, such as more people turning out for this year’s football team than originally anticipated. Therefore, football needed more money for equipment and uniforms than what was initially given to them.
After much debate, the budget was changed. Funds that were directed toward Link Crew were determined to be unnecessary, removed and put toward other clubs and sports.
Hip-hop club was provided $250 more and the Hawkeye was provided $1,500 more than originally proposed.
Ewing told the room that “everyone is cut” due to the entire school having less money. Ewing attributed this to a number of factors, including decreased income from the MTHS vending machines since the implementation of the law restricting food sold in schools.
Executive ASB Treasurer Gene An and Ewing also said that any ideas for fundraisers to supplement the MTHS ASB general fund would be welcomed. Ewing said usually Executive ASB runs those kind of fundraisers, but any club or sport is welcome to do so.
“If your clubs ever want to brainstorm ideas for [fundraising], that would be great,” An said.
Ewing also said that any money not used by a sport or club will roll over to the next year.
The amended 2015-2016 budget was approved at approximately 7:20 p.m.
