Spring is here, the birds are back, and track is in session. Yet, this season is leaning off the rocker in an uncomfortable way. The weather is unsure what to do, and the track itself is in a state of anarchy. It isn’t that the coaches have tossed their athletes to the dogs to teach them how to fend for themselves. Quite the opposite as a matter of fact, the organization and planning is thorough gold-medal material. Which begs the question of why the regulation-breaking anarchy symbol has yet to be removed from our track?

    With the budget proposal fiasco in full roar, I thought it would be the perfect time to mention the fact that our track team is the only one in our athletic division that still has a cement track. A hazardous, shin-splint inducing nightmare, with burn marks and spray paint. Which is the epitome of irony surrounded by brand new bleachers and a snack stand. Who are we trying to kid? We want iPads and other interactive learning devices, while the foundations are crumbling at the seams around us. I always thought planning involved observing what was in your immediate surroundings and deciding how best to advance it. As I’m running and I look down to see the track moving into a degenerating state of disrepair, I’m definitely not thinking about how I would love to learn ASL or Mandarin Chinese.  

    I’m thinking about this community and how cheap a can of paint is in comparison to the cost of an all-purpose track. As I am continually aware that even though the girl’s track team placed second in the Patroon Conference, and sure deserves the leg up against the competition, we’re not getting a new track. The budget stinks, but we’ll still manage to finally beat out Maple Hill at Patroons this year with our “outdated” equipment. Mr. Squier and the Board should really think about that. We could save so many jobs if we learned to work together, like a track team, and helped the students to benefit, not with cooler, more entertaining things, but by developing their motivation and commitment with teachers who care and know what they‘re doing (not firing them for cheaper, inexperienced alternatives). When all you really need is a can of paint, you don’t start waving around an all-purpose track to serve as a distraction from the larger issues.