Well the schools have enough money to send their AD's to a resort for a conference...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/7462961.htmlBudgetary struggles highlight THSADA conference
By JOSHUA BUCKLEY
LEAGUE CITY- With school districts across the state facing major budget cuts, members of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association met for their annual conference with a focus on finding ways to limit expenses.
The attending athletic directors said it was nice to see they weren't alone in their budgetary struggles.
"It's not that misery loves company by any means," Houston ISD athletic director Marmion Dambrino said. "But it is good to know and listen to ideas of how others are dealing with these budget issues. It's all about how creative we can become with what it is that we are doing."
The THSADA concludes its five-day conference today at the South Shore Harbour Resort Conference Center in League City. Items on the agenda included sessions with speakers from the American Athletic Institute, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the University Interscholastic League.
There were also leadership training classes, as well as appearances by Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak and Texas A&M football coach Mike Sherman.
Clear Creek ISD athletic director Bill Daws helped host this year's conference, along with CCISD Coordinator Debbie Fuchs. He said along with providing a few days of relaxing and entertainment, the hosts also wanted it to be an productive trip.
"We want everyone to get something from the conference, as well as relax and have a good time," Daws said. "We tried to get some interesting presenters and help come up with ways to conquer budget cuts."
Dambrino, attending her first THSADA conference since taking over as the athletic director of Houston ISD, said the sessions were informative for both new and experienced athletic directors.
"We have a tough road ahead," Dambrino said. "In this day and age, with budgets what they are, it is important for all of us to get thoughts and ideas from one another. Everyone here is extremely passionate about their jobs. We want to do the very best for the kids all the time, so we are figuring out ways to do that."
Among the solutions discussed were the purchasing of equipment, transportation, staffing and different ways of scheduling games and events.
UIL executive director Dr. Charles Breithaupt spoke on Tuesday about the attention athletics receive during budget cuts because of the publicity the programs receive. School boards also debate the stipends coaches receive when expenses have to be cut.
"I want to give them the message of hope," Breithaupt said. "Why things are bleak financially across the state and across the national, parents and kids still want to participation in athletic programs. Really, athletics are the biggest bang for your buck that a school district can get. Research shows that students who participate in athletics attend school more regularly, focus in the classroom and have fewer discipline referrals.
"Knowing all of that, what better program can you have than that at a school?"
