Every year, the district is given so much money to spend on certain programs within the school. Programs ranging from carpentry to soccer are all funded through the district in a way which is meant to be fair and accurate.

Many believe, however, that basketball is at the top of the district’s spending list and some see this as unfair.

“[Sports are treated unfairly because] basketball gets all the money,” freshman Joey Dean said.

Sophomore Melani Gumm agrees.

“I don’t think it’s fair because there are other sports that could use the money for warm-ups, new jerseys, and equipment,” Gumm said.

Athletics Director Chris Ruder believes that all sports and activities are treated equally, and the students have a misconception of the school’s budget.

“The perception of this community is that basketball gets everything. I have made it an emphasis to treat people fairly,” Ruder said.

The reality is that all sports and activities are given the option to fundraise as well as let booster clubs and the school support them.

For example, students have been given the false impression that basketball gets everything handed to them which is why they don’t fundraise. This accusation is far from the truth.

Basketball and many other sports don’t fundraise because they need only equipment and uniforms. If they require anything extra, however, they are expected to raise those funds themselves. For instance, if the players all wanted matching shoes, rather than going out and purchasing their own shoes, they would fundraise in order to acquire enough money to buy matching shoes.

The matter of fundraising depends on what the team decides to do.

“We don’t give money to anyone, but we do take care of them,” Ruder said. “That’s just the reality of it.”

Even with that being said, some studets are not fond of the idea that basketball does not choose to fundraise and other sports and activities do.

Many fundraising expeditions were taken on this year by various activities. The cheerleaders sold state T-shirts, Butter Braids and cookie dough.

“We also do the cheer clinic, and that brings in a lot of money,” freshman Lindsey Roesti said.

Although it only seems logical that sports should have to fundraise, there are also certain classes that must partake in fundraising.

“[For yearbook] We have to do a ton of fundraising,” Becker said. “Some of the things we do are sell ads, sell Red Wheel, and we also did the Guitar Hero Tournament.”

Becker is also involved in art classes.

“We have to pay 20-30 bucks for photography or art. Art is always running low on money.”

Art teacher Lori Sprague agrees that money is not plentiful in the art courses, but this does not seem to bother her.

“It would be nice if we had money for other things, but we make due with what we have,” Sprague said.

Debate and forensics are two other classes that must raise money to support their costs.

“[The] parent group is in charge. Half of the money comes from parents,” debate and forensics coach Melissa Newton said.

The parent group provides between $8,000 and $10,000, and conducts major fundraisers every year such as the Business Fun-Drive, Turkey Raffle, and Ham Raffle.

“It would be fantastic if we got more money. When we fundraise it takes up time that we could be competing,” Newton said.

The money that the parent club fundraises goes towards travel expenses, supplies, paper and pens. The debate team is also planning on buying new computers for next year with the money raised.

According to Kent Nye, the district is given approximately $4,300 dollars per student enrolled in the school. Students engaged in careertech classes, however, receive slightly more due to the high cost of the programs.

Another important factor in the budgetary process is student enrollment. Prinicipal Lew Faust indicated that with each passing year the school was given more or less money depending on the students attending MHS. The money gathered through enrollment is used to finance teacher salaries and other important expenditures.

If the number of students attending MHS continues to dwindle, it may have a direct correlation to the number of staff members and facilities.