Dad Of A Cheerleader Agrees To Let School Use His Property For Their Fundraising Event, Takes His Promise Back When The Focus Shifts To The Football Team
People often gather together for a certain purpose and sometimes, along the way, their initial goal changes. As long as everyone is happy about the change, there is no need to worry about this natural sequence of events. However, this is not always the case. And people might find themselves in a situation where they signed up for one thing, but it turned into another. It is here that they have to decide what they value more: faithfulness to that particular group of people and the majority’s vote or something else. This father decided that he respected the promise given to the cheerleading team more than people’s time and money donated to make this fundraising event.
More info: Reddit
The PTA had been preparing for a fundraiser for months, so one father is livid after this plan takes a turn
Image credits: Dani Jace (not the actual photo)
The majority voted to buy new football equipment instead, therefore the man cancelled the event venue
Image credits: ptawoesandtrials
Image credits: David Baron (not the actual photo)
Image credits: ptawoesandtrials
The fundraiser was established to raise money for new cheerleader uniforms and the kids were excited about it
Image credits: Pixabay (not the actual photo)
The football coach suggested that the football equipment needed to be replaced and the PTA voted to use the fundraiser for it
This man decided to turn the whole PTA down by refusing to provide his property and furnishing for their fundraising event, which he had promised early in the planning and which was agreed to be cost-free. He shared that he is in a way driven by strong emotions of anger and disappointment and most of the people involved in the event do not empathize with his actions, but, as noted by Redditors, his reasons seem to be fair.
The main context of the story, as shared by this man, is the fundraising event, the planning of which took a long time for the people involved. The PTA had been planning for months to raise money for new cheerleader uniforms and got the kids excited, as the old uniforms were very outdated.
The man wasn’t the only one contributing to the event. Many people worked hard spending their time and money for making and buying things to be sold at the fundraiser, while the man, as noted, agreed to provide his property as a venue.
It all was going well until the football coach suggested the football equipment had to be replaced and it was voted by the PTA to use the funds raised for it. This is when the father got livid, as the event suddenly changed its nature when it was almost done organizing. He explains that from his side, he went above and beyond to help out the cheerleading team. However, the main argument he brought up was that his child and all the kids from the cheerleading team got their hopes up only to be dashed by the group of adults, who were supposed to show a good example of keeping one’s word.
As a consequence, the father refused to go with the decision that the majority agreed upon by voting and took his offer to use his property back. In this way, he was putting the event at risk, as he knew they wouldn’t be able to find a venue this late, especially not at an affordable price.
After this man cancelled the free venue, he was accused of throwing all the people’s hard work in the trash
Image credits: MART PRODUCTION (not the actual photo)
Redditors agreed this man had every right to refuse the venue and could have suggested the football field instead
This made the majority of people involved angry at him, including some people who voted against the change. The main argument was, of course, that he was “throwing all their hard work in the trash.” People were claiming that the only thing that mattered at that point was voting, and that by refusing to comply with the majority’s decision he was acting like a dictator, while this man was pointing to the children’s feelings and doing justice to what was promised to them in the first place.
In his book “On the Psychology of Promising,” Herbert J. Schlesinger claims that psychologists and psychoanalysts have not paid sufficient attention to making and keeping promises. He, on the contrary, claims that the ability to make and keep a promise should be taken to be, if not the defining act of moral maturity, then at least a defining act of moral maturity.
He contrasts this phenomenon with fiction, such as Greek dramas and Shakespeare’s plays, which, according to him, people often regard as intuitive psychologists. The importance of a promise was emphasized in these plays by making it a force that moved the actions of its characters, even in situations when the promise wasn’t made honestly. Schlesinger notes that Sophocles and Shakespeare, in their works, considered promises to “take the life of their own,” showing them fulfilling themselves “even in spite of the too-late change of heart of the promiser.”
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Tell them your family took a vote on using the property. It was the will of the majority that decided against it.
Football is always the most important thing in school and I think it's dumb. The coach should've brought up this problem earlier on, then maybe the PTA could've come up with a compromise. It's unfair that the cheerleaders, who the fundraiser was originally intended for, should be pushed into the shadows while the football players take over the spotlight.
This is like what we went through when I was in high school. Band and Choir consistently got screwed over. The sports teams got a free ride for *everything*. Band and choir had to: A, pay for our own uniforms, B, pay for our own equipment, C, pay for our own trips. We won awards and impressed our peers... but we weren't valued by our own school, it was clear.
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I don't believe for a second that this switch wasn't the plan from the beginning. NTA.
“Sometimes c***ery is planned, sometimes c***ery, but c***ery is always done by c***s.” Shakespeare
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I'd say that whoever wanted to sell their items for the cheerleading fundraiser could still use my property but if they are raising funds for the football team they must go elsewhere.
I would have held the cheerleader fundraiser privately and asked everyone who prepared for the event to come and that all funds raised would not be given to the school until they sign a contract that all money raised would be donated to the school on the condition it is used for the cheerleaders uniforms and not wasted on anything else
They never have to hand it over to the school as money. They can ask the cheer coach to create the order and write the check directly to the uniform company. That is what our band boosters had to do to make sure the money we raised for new uniforms went only to those uniforms.
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I am the mother of a cheerleader, and besides my shelling out THOUSANDS of dollars each year for her uniforms and gear, the cheer squad helps with football fundraisers. Yet the football players do not assist with cheer fundraisers. I am not antifootball, I think sports can be a positive outlet for students...BUT football is not more important than any other sports. Also football caters to males. I don't like the message this sends to female students about their worth.
His daughter is going to love him for standing up for her. My high-school we use to swear our principle wanted to jump the bones of the football team. They got away with everything. One day they started a food fight and the principle decided to lock up the veding machines the snack lines etc. The football team was allowed to go to the office to get snacks. When I was in 10th grade our whole class score the highest in out state on our PSAT's so we got money. It was given to us before 12th grade most of the money was spent on the football team/ the boys weight room. They got all new top line equipment. I heard from another school when that happened to them they gave everyone in that class a check to help out with college supplies.
This is why we honestly shouldn't have sports for students at all. People end up viewing that have as the way to their (not their kid's) easy future. So they pay to undercut everything but the football team. So now, Billy Bob might get a partial ride to a D3 school, but Johnny and Susie got a s**t education along with him, and all 3 will be broke before turning 21.
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I'm confused... every fundraiser at every school I ever attended was held in the school gym... they can't find another venue? What about the school itself?
If it was anything like my middle school gym they probably couldn't fit. Our middle school was very old and a half size gym. Great for our volleyball team not so much for the basketball team lol
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"You're being a dictator" No, you voted to ignore a outcaste citizen, and said private citizen is exercising his rights to private property in our great democratic system to refuse to let you use his land. That's called civil liberties. Literally, the backbone of any democratic government is the rights of the individual. But of course the boys in the football team matter more then the girls who cheer. That's just how small town America works: they get really sexist and racist and completely ignore the fundamental concepts that underpin the very concept of democracy
True.That dictator comment got me too.. Who changed what the fundraiser was for at the last minute...A dictator! Also what a fundraiser is for is very pertinent and parent had every right to cancel their participation given that they turned the whole thing around on him.
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NTA. Work was done and support was mustered based on one fundraising premise. That need did not go away. The Football coach saw the fundraising efforts and sought to persuade people to divert the money to his cause. He needed to ask people to start a second fundraising effort when the first was done. If he (and his apologists) keep up their line-budging ways, they won't have cheerleaders willing to cheer for them at all.
I don't think Title IX is enforceable when it comes to fundraising though. Government funds, absolutely but private funds, I'm not so sure.
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This is so disrespectful, I am sure they wanted to get something for the football team but couldn't find nobody to donate venues etc to them so they used the cheerleaders instead to get suckers to give things for free. Football teams always get updated equipment at least every 5 years the cheerleaders probably haven't had nothing new since about ten years or more. They set these parents up and this dad was the only one who had b***s to stand up to these people. I would have done the same thing.
So after months in the planning an event to raise funds for the cheerleaders, they expect the cheerleaders to step aside have the fundraiser used for the football team instead with no planning.... Guy did right
In other words, those football bros are leeches, selfish and entitled.
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NTA, OP. You're an ally to girls, and they need all the allies they can get right now. Thank you for your courage.
I don’t think Leche-Caliente quite understands the connotations of saying “go commando” in an article about school-age (under 18) cheerleaders, or football players.
I was thinking the same thing 😂😂 I had to re-read it.🤣🤣 I was like how is wearing no underwear going to help high schoolers!!
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Even at the elementary school where my husband teaches, everything is focused around football.
Football coach was trying to use you. I am glad you didn't let it happen and I hope you can raise the money for the cheerleaders. Don't worry about the others that were angered by canceling use of your property for furtherance of the football coach's ego trip. I have high respect for you!
If the PTA solicited donations showing their intentions to use the money to purchase cheerleaders uniforms and then changed it, they should be held accountable for deceptive actions? Pretty sad to have a parent group participating in something that would be considered unethical, what is it teaching the kids.
As a former cheer coach, I can tell you that often football, basketball, etc are all provided with funding from the school and sponsors. However, cheer was responsible for raising their own funds with absolutely zero contributed by the school. It's expensive for all of the gear, and it can take months to get there. I would have shut it down too.
honestly i hate how football is a priority. i was on the track team best we got was new uniforms cuz the old ones were falling apart. however wen the football coach wanted an astroturf field, new stands, new track (so the FOOTBALL team could do laps), a snack stand and better annoucer booth my high school jumped on it and granted his wish. i graduated before the new track was put in but i heard from my younger friends is was alot better then the old one and the cross country team has to warm up with the football team now which they hate bc they take up most of the track. these days cross country had resulted to warming up with the middle school team across the street on their track. they actually practice together only difference is the high schoolers have a longer route then the middle schoolers wen running around town. my high schools cheerleading squad had standards. if u werent good looking or talented enough u couldnt join. it made alot of parents mad but the excuse was that if a girl weighed more then another but was more talented they cant have her in the spolight on the pyramid or get thrown in the air bc shes heavier then most. their budget was also tied in with the footballs budget bc they made the football team look good. thats the reality of wanting pretty girls. the more i look back on high school the more grateful i m that i didnt join anything the school favored. i mightve gotten them news coverage bc i was the star short distant runner with good looks but i never let my gymnastics skills come to the schools attention.
NTA, period. No discussion at all. Everyone who voted for the football team is entitled and thought they would get one over on the parent. They f**ked around and found out.
I love it when people say I have to do something their way. "Sorry I have a**l glaucoma and.....I don't see my a** doing that."
I think that only works on the federal level not so much the private sector.
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Even if we view this as a verbal contract, he still has the right to revoke use of his property. The original agreement was for a specific event. Even though it's technically the same parent group, you can't switch out the event type as that isn't the original terms. And since it's private property, it doesn't matter what the majority voted. No one can just commandeer you or your property without legal process.
Did any of the Adults in this School PTA, ever INCLUDE this property owner in the Decisions to Vote to Change the Original Agreement for Use of His property??? This PTA group of ADULT PARENTS, Agreed with this Adult Property owner & Parent of a Cheerleader at this School, so I'm sure he was trying to support his child's Cheerleader Squad and the School!!! Obviously when the School made this Agreement with this PROPERTY OWNER it for the use of his property based on the Initial Agreement. I totally AGREE with the Property Owner, these Adult PARENTS, obviously never once considered the cheerleaders, nor the property owner's thoughts & emotions concerning this Change, and Did they INCLUDE the Property Owner in this Decision to Vote to Change, was His VOTE included in this matter This PTA behaved very selfishly, immaturely to become OFFENDED and Angry because "they Decided" to Vote to change the original agreement! Was the Property Owner included in this Discussion? DID HIS VOTE MATTER
I think the coach was opportunistic. He likely could have gotten another year out of the uniforms. But when he saw the efforts and likely success of the cheerleaders fundraiser, he figured he could just swoop in and save himself the effort making his own fundraiser. The coach was being weasel (my apologies to the animals). This guy did good. The sad part is this didn't really hurt the football players as it is easier to raise money for the football player than the cheerleaders. All that really happened was the coach is back to where he was (needing to raise $ for football) while cheerleaders got screwed. This guy can contact everyone that didn't vote for the football players, hold a private fundraiser, and buy the uniforms.
Schools will always have their priorities and they won't always match mine. Not the same as this switcheroo, but this year, after hearing my kids school spent $60k on computer equipment for the music department (a minority subject that few will pursue long term) I've decided not to pay the school "donation". The sport my kid plays is always stretched for enough uniforms and gear. Education is technically free in NZ, so they request a donation and I've always paid in the past, kind of for the sake of those who can't. But this year I'll wait and see what my daughter's sport might be in need of and buy it for them.
I agree with what he did. My high school staged a musical every year and it was quite successful. One year we made quite a bit of money and we were going to use it to purchase much needed technical equipment such as a couple of new follow spots. The Principal made the decision to spend the money on the football team. We were outraged but our protests were ignored. Too often sports are given priority over the efforts of other school clubs.
Since they changed the fundraiser, offer to rent them your venue at a "discount" if they accept and rent it from you donate the full rental price to a restricted gift to the cheerleading squad.
This was a contractual arrangement. He agreed to provide something at no cost on the condition that it was for the cheerleaders. ~~~They~~~ changed the terms of the agreement which nullified the contract, not him.
Let them panic and freak out for a while as they check prices on other venues and realize the expense. At the eleventh hour, offer to host again, but only if cheerleading gets 80% of the proceeds, football 20%, and get those percentages in writing. It might sting to give football anything, but 80% is better than 0% for the cheerleaders.
NTA and everyone knows it, even the football team. They’re upset they didn’t get what THEY wanted. Keep fighting, the cheerleaders need someone in their corner. Also, schools treat high school football like it’s a full time job and VIP benefits. It’s nauseating.
You did the right thing. You had a contract and the PTA tried to change the terms unilaterally. They broke the contract. You did exactly what you promised. You aren't required to do more. As for the majority and their time and money, they still have control over their own stuff. Just not over yours. I will also point out that you took a strong stand that cheerleaders (usually female) should be equal to football players (almost always males). It's too easy for organizations to shuffle women to the back of the line. Congrats for not letting them.
It seems so simple to me. You would let them use your property for a cheerleader event, so you cannot be bound when that is called off.
NTA Tell them "Oh no, that's not the event I signed up for. Mine was for the cheerleaders. So YOU are mistaken. You must have me mixed up with someone else."
NTA mate. And...frankly, I don't believe for a single second that this was not planned from the very beginning.
This makes me angry that they would even think they’d still be able to use the fathers property and then wanna make a fuss when he’s like yea that’s not gonna happen. I’d have just donated the outfits myself as a father this is irritating to see hope the team gets there outfits
The football and other athletic teams have their own boosters in most schools. At least the schools in my district. Football, basketball, Track, band and cheerleading all have separate fundraisers. The coach and the PTA was out of bounds for this.
I'm really not getting the thought process behind the change of who got the proceeds. Fine the football team needs a fundraiser. If it were so imperative why didnt they just pull together another committe and get to planning one for the football team and let the cheerleaders have their moment to be appreciated. VERY NTA.
I wonder why the football coach waited until then to say anything. Seems if it was really an issue, he'd have brought it up before instead of trying to take over a fundraiser for another department/team
He probably saw how well the cheerleaders' fund raiser was going during the planning and set up phase.
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NTA if I am understanding this correctly the fundraiser has not occurred yet. I would let the cheer parents, and any other parents with a basic moral compass, know that they could continue with the cheerleader’s fundraiser on your property and give all of the proceeds directly to the cheer coach if possible. Just cut out the PTA, the majority of which, apparently, do not have a code of ethics to speak of. These are supposed to be the parents of the students. They are supposed to be setting a standard of behavior and teaching values which is vastly more important than football or any sport or activity. Good for you standing up for your kid and doing the right thing. The people giving you a hard time need to reevaluate their priorities and realize it was those that voted to steal the cheer squad’s event that “trashed their hard work”. You are a good parent and that’s going to last a lifetime, way beyond the idiocy of high school.
Unfortunately, there are usually a MINIMUM of 22 kids on a football team not including water and towel boys statisticians etc while a Normal cheer squad will be lucky to have 10 kids. Most of these PTA members were probably just voting for their kids interest and deeming it okay bc they are "doing what's best for their kid" rather than teaching them how to be their best.
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NTA, but what I would do is tell them that the fundraiser can go ahead on your property, but that your donation of the venue was to the cheerleading team, not the football team, so that portion of the revenue (name an equivalent venue cost) needs to go to the cheerleaders.
There was another choice to avoid having the event canceled. He could have charged them the amount he would have charged had he not offered it for free and then donated that money to the cheerleader fund. I don't know if it would pay for all the uniforms but that would be a compromise.
You charge them a rental fee for the venue and a cut off the gross sales. F**k the football team who has new great every year anyway. I've never met a single football coach (including my uncles) who wouldn't lie to their mother on her deathbed just to get some new c**p for the weight room.
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If I were you, I would spend the money you were going to spend when you donated your property for the venue and go out a buy the cheerleaders their uniforms. You did the right thing…
What does he mean they won't be able to find another venue for the event. There's a school, right? Unless it's a one room school house from the 1845, it's probably bigger than any other venue around. Second, the author quoted from the book, “On the Psychology of Promising" by Herbert J. Schlesinger. Are those ACTUAL quotes or did the author of this article, a millennial (without a doubt), write them from memory. Because no one would say that promises “take the life of their own,”. Those murdering promises. I hate promises that murder. Or did the author mean that they take ON a life their own? Did he go on to say that that in the end, the promises are fulfilled one way or another, or did he actually say 'fulfilling themselves “even in spite of the too-late change of heart of the promiser". They are fulfilled with hatred and in spite. Did a doctor really write that book? I know people hate Grammar Nauseas but this is about school money misappropriation.
What does he mean they won't be able to find another venue for the event. There's a school, right? Unless it's a one room school house from the 1845, it's probably bigger than any other venue around. Second, the author quoted from the book, “On the Psychology of Promising" by Herbert J. Schlesinger. Are those ACTUAL quotes or did the author of this article, a millennial (without a doubt), write them from memory. Because no one would say that promises “take the life of their own,”. Those murdering promises. I hate promises that murder. Or did the author mean that they take ON a life their own? Did he go on to say that that in the end, the promises are fulfilled one way or another, or did he actually say 'fulfilling themselves “even in spite of the too-late change of heart of the promiser". They are fulfilled with hatred and in spite. Did a doctor really write that book? I know people hate Grammar Nauseas but this is about school money being misappropriated.
This happens far too often. Girls sports (and yes, cheerleading is a sport, with all the related sports injuries) are *always* backburnered once one of the boys teams needs something. And football even beats out other boys teams if they have a need. This blatant bias and extreme favoritism is disgusting and sends a horrible message to young people, and especially young girls. "It doesn't matter how hard you work, or how talented you are, or what you contribute to this school - the football team is more important than all of you, because football."
NTA. Although, I find it weird that the school doesn't have boosters club too. It being small school isn't a good reason. I prob went to one of the smallest schools in the country & we even had a boosters. I mean I had 250 kids 7-12 grade. I graduated with a senior class of 32 kids, one of the biggest graduating classes in school history. My sis graduated 7 Yrs later with 16 kids. We STILL had a boosters club . Why did it even have to be either or? Why not let cheer know they're still getting new uniforms but maybe a nice but slightly cheaper option than planned & if/when they hit the goal the remainder will go.to football. Or do 2 at once. bake sale for cheer & car wash for football at the same venue or something similar. Both teams keep whatever it is they make from their specific product/service. Or, & hear me out. If both teams need new uniforms hold two fundraisers. It's naive to think he would agree after they told his daughter her hobby isn't as important as football
You should still host the event. Charge them $1,000. Give the money to the Cheer team.
You are not the a*****e. But as a parent who has both sides of the coin, a lot more money goes into football because it draws a bigger crowd. Sideline cheer is not something that draws a crowd. And I can guarantee if you ask every cheerleader on the team, 75 to 80% of them will tell you that they absolutely hate sidelining. Comp cheer is what they're in for. So the bigger money raiser is football. So again, you are absolutely not the a*****e, I would have done the exact same thing. I'm just trying to give you some insight on why it probably went down that way. And good luck to your daughter, I hope she continues her dreams of cheering if that's what she wants. 💚
Fk them. Your daughter will always remember this as well. I would have done the same. Who cares about the PTA anyways. Too much drama
I remember in my school days the school letting the school auditorium be used for certain things. Firehouse coming in to discuss fire safety. Anti drug events. So what if one of them came in and said "Oh we're actually going to do a PRO-Drugs event instead" Or even "we're going to discuss how awesome video games are instead". I'm sure the school would no longer let them use the venue they agreed to since they changed what it was for. Saying the father went back on his word or changed his mind is ridiculous. The school went back and changed their mind.
He did right thing. This was plain bait and switch. Abd it is his property, they can vote whatever they want, in the end, property was donated for cheerleader fundraiser. Not football team. abd since no one even wanted compromise or ask what people who donated think, they deserve losing it. And if they had even a bit of morality left inside them, they would have understood that father was doing that for daughter, instead they went in like corporate heartless bean counters. If I make a donation for certain purpose, I expect it to be spent for that exact purpose. Not just put to whatever someone else thinks. Doesn't matter if that other group needs it more, I made donation and I decide which group needs it. I just hate it when some organization thinks they can get away with just about everything. Even if it is school.
He was 100% right to cancel. They made an agreement to give the money to the cheerleaders. He made an agreement to provide the venue. They change their mind and so did he.
Yeah sounds like maggot at my old place of work. We fundraised for outdoor equipment. She took all the money and used it for an activity (she decided was extra important, that only a select few could use once a year (her, one other person and up to 5 children). Then said we could fundraise to pay for the rest of the payment for her activity because the money she stole wasn't enough! Grrr.
Someone mentioned that schools have 'boost teams'? not all schools, maybe larger US schools. The rest tend to have PTA's. NTA. Some people only go to watch the cheerleaders as the team isn't that good. Anyway, why cant/hasn't the coach gone to their supporters and demanded new equipment?
The level of intensity I see in sports in the USA is rather frightening. Sure here in Australia, we have our sports freaks and it's considered weird to have no interest in sport (like I do) but our schools and universities are not overburdened with the idea of a sports scholarship in education. I'm sure these things exist here but I've never known anyone who was admitted to university on the basis of their sporting ability.
There is definitely a religion around AFL and Rugby League, but the good news is that there are now women’s leagues for all the most popular men’s sports, and they are gaining in popularity amongst viewers. TV networks televise them and many people are invested in their team. Funding is still too low - most female sports’ stars have to hold down a full time job as well, but hopefully that will change. School, however, do not tend to worship a footy team as their gods, although sport is still usually considered more important than the arts (a career in the arts can continue until you are really ancient, not 30).
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Please forgive my ignorance, but I hope you can help me. I understand that this post is from the US and would like to know how much influence or authority a PTA has within the school?
As long as you were clear up front that the use of your property was because of the Cheerleaders, ok. I've done PTA too many years and this stuff happens A LOT.
NTA. This was probably their thought from the beginning. I know that football brings in a lot of revenue, but schools think it is the be all, end all.
There never should have been ANY vote at all. This wasn't about football at all. If you did a fundraiser for girl scouts would you give it to the boy scouts because they need it more?
Way too much money is already spent on athletic programs, but, in this instance, I have to agree with the father.
Not surprised. Sports like football and baseball are chosen over any other activities. My high school spent money on an astroturf football stadium and new baseball fields but when it came to the choir room with water damage and mold to be cleaned up, the school district suddenly no longer had the funds for that. My school choir had to move to the school auditorium because the choir room had so much mold it in.
Thinking that the PTA has some bylaws in place, it looks like the coach was able to take advantage of a loophole within the bylaws. If so, then PTA members need to review and update their bylaws soon to avoid any potential similar issues in the future. If there are no bylaws, then they should put some in place asap. Their bylaws need to include an in-kind donation closure and clearly specify if and how to handle in-kind donations when these are made for specific project(s) that cannot longer be met. Use of venue (in-kind donation) to hold a fundraising event to buy new uniforms for cheerleaders (project). If their bylaws were written the way they should, then the in-kind donation should have been frozen while given the donor the ability to decide to either (re)donate the in-kind donation to the PTA's "general fund" to use as they see fit (buy football equipment) OR, decide to retire (cancel) the in-kind donation for a period of time or indefinitely.
if it involves high chool football and PTA, they are always the a*****e .
I'm thought the football team got all the money they need. I never have seen fundraisers for the football team.
I would have held the fundraiser for them and had the cheerleaders also there too with a box to collect at least something. And the vendors that were selling the items could split the money they made in half for each group.
Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Unless the cheerleaders had a vendor that they could directly buy the uniforms from instead of through the school the school gets the money and does whatever they want. Football has always been the biggest part of high school even over other sports and then those sports come next. Cheerleaders and non sports related programs always comes last. I have been out of school for over 40 years and it was that way back then even in small schools like mine.
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So lets get this right you, you were willing to help school by allowing them to have an event for many scantily clad young girls, but when money went to very well covered boys you said no I wont help school??
The problem is football brings in more money than cheer, especially if the cheer squad is only to support the teams and doesn't compete on their own in competitions. Football brings in funds at otherwise underfunded schools. Selling tickets and concessions can help raise money for books, computers, renovationd, etc. Cheer is seen as a way to support the football team and not it's own team. People don't go to football games to watch cheerleaders (for the most part.) Use your money to support the other clubs and programs otherwise if cuts have to happen the clubs that don't make the school money but cost it get cut first or overlooked. Want to see art and they're clubs get more attention? Buy tickets to the school play, go to the art exhibit and make a donation buy a piece of student art, get your friends and family to all buy tickets to the band/chorus recital, try to get a talented team of cheerleaders to go to cheer competitions. Don't just treat it as a hobby.
To clarify, that's not to say this is right or that's the way it should be, it's just how it is. In a perfect world this wouldn't be an issue bc our schools would be adequately funded to begin with. All clubs/activities would be treated equally. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in. Clubs and sports are about creating income streams for the school first and foremost and about expanding kids interest, providing after school care, and giving kids a healthy outlet and keeping them physically fit is second. Football will always be the top program given the most attention bc it brings in the.most money unless some other team is the best of the best. In a school that hasn't won a championship in anything people will still shown up to watch a game. But, if the FB team is junk and the cheer squad wins a national championship on ESPN 2, well it MIGHT have a chance to draw a bigger crowd. Unless of course the ntls winning club is the color guard, nobody cares about them j/k, kind of.
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Yep. YTA. You threw a hissy fit because you got outvoted and threw everyone’s efforts in the trash. Football gear is far more expensive than measly cheer uniforms. You could've easily asked for the remainder of the money to be used for the uniforms or asked for a percentage of the funds to be spent on the cheerleading team. On top of that, football is far more important when it comes to having good gear. Helmets, pads, and cleats that are worn out or old will cause injuries. A non stylish cheer uniform or old Pom poms won’t. Football is also more important to get scholarships to college for some kids. Cheer isn’t. Grow up.
Cheer is dangerous too…and they do it without all that gear. They have their uniforms and that’s it. Football is NOT more important. It’s just a sport like any other that, for whatever reason, is treated like a religion in the US. And cheer isn’t easy - it’s just a different skillset that typically involves gymnastics (you know, that SPORT that is usually seen at the Olympics) A school will pay for football equipment before it does BOOKS. You keep saying stuff to people like football gets people scholarships - and it does. But do you honestly think there are no baseball, basketball or, yes, cheer! Scholarships? I mean people get scholarships related to just getting good grades. Your comments are completely asinine, ignorant and dripping with misogyny.
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Been to a clothing store lately? Now try getting multiple copies of a 'style' in special colors, sizes, graphics, etc., in materials that will last longer than one season.... It ain't gonna be cheap. That's for sure!!
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For HS I agree. College level cheerleaders however are on a whole different level, and are essentially group gymnastics.
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Why are you giving your opinion on this article? Why do you care what people think? Are you looking for some sort of validation on social media? Be careful. People might start thinking you're a pussy!
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Whats your reasoning for that? He agreed to help the cheerleaders not the football team who pushed them aside..
Load More Replies... Tell them your family took a vote on using the property. It was the will of the majority that decided against it.
Football is always the most important thing in school and I think it's dumb. The coach should've brought up this problem earlier on, then maybe the PTA could've come up with a compromise. It's unfair that the cheerleaders, who the fundraiser was originally intended for, should be pushed into the shadows while the football players take over the spotlight.
This is like what we went through when I was in high school. Band and Choir consistently got screwed over. The sports teams got a free ride for *everything*. Band and choir had to: A, pay for our own uniforms, B, pay for our own equipment, C, pay for our own trips. We won awards and impressed our peers... but we weren't valued by our own school, it was clear.
Load More Replies... I don't believe for a second that this switch wasn't the plan from the beginning. NTA.
“Sometimes c***ery is planned, sometimes c***ery, but c***ery is always done by c***s.” Shakespeare
Load More Replies... I'd say that whoever wanted to sell their items for the cheerleading fundraiser could still use my property but if they are raising funds for the football team they must go elsewhere.
I would have held the cheerleader fundraiser privately and asked everyone who prepared for the event to come and that all funds raised would not be given to the school until they sign a contract that all money raised would be donated to the school on the condition it is used for the cheerleaders uniforms and not wasted on anything else
They never have to hand it over to the school as money. They can ask the cheer coach to create the order and write the check directly to the uniform company. That is what our band boosters had to do to make sure the money we raised for new uniforms went only to those uniforms.
Load More Replies... I am the mother of a cheerleader, and besides my shelling out THOUSANDS of dollars each year for her uniforms and gear, the cheer squad helps with football fundraisers. Yet the football players do not assist with cheer fundraisers. I am not antifootball, I think sports can be a positive outlet for students...BUT football is not more important than any other sports. Also football caters to males. I don't like the message this sends to female students about their worth.
His daughter is going to love him for standing up for her. My high-school we use to swear our principle wanted to jump the bones of the football team. They got away with everything. One day they started a food fight and the principle decided to lock up the veding machines the snack lines etc. The football team was allowed to go to the office to get snacks. When I was in 10th grade our whole class score the highest in out state on our PSAT's so we got money. It was given to us before 12th grade most of the money was spent on the football team/ the boys weight room. They got all new top line equipment. I heard from another school when that happened to them they gave everyone in that class a check to help out with college supplies.
This is why we honestly shouldn't have sports for students at all. People end up viewing that have as the way to their (not their kid's) easy future. So they pay to undercut everything but the football team. So now, Billy Bob might get a partial ride to a D3 school, but Johnny and Susie got a s**t education along with him, and all 3 will be broke before turning 21.
Load More Replies... I'm confused... every fundraiser at every school I ever attended was held in the school gym... they can't find another venue? What about the school itself?
If it was anything like my middle school gym they probably couldn't fit. Our middle school was very old and a half size gym. Great for our volleyball team not so much for the basketball team lol
Load More Replies... "You're being a dictator" No, you voted to ignore a outcaste citizen, and said private citizen is exercising his rights to private property in our great democratic system to refuse to let you use his land. That's called civil liberties. Literally, the backbone of any democratic government is the rights of the individual. But of course the boys in the football team matter more then the girls who cheer. That's just how small town America works: they get really sexist and racist and completely ignore the fundamental concepts that underpin the very concept of democracy
True.That dictator comment got me too.. Who changed what the fundraiser was for at the last minute...A dictator! Also what a fundraiser is for is very pertinent and parent had every right to cancel their participation given that they turned the whole thing around on him.
Load More Replies... NTA. Work was done and support was mustered based on one fundraising premise. That need did not go away. The Football coach saw the fundraising efforts and sought to persuade people to divert the money to his cause. He needed to ask people to start a second fundraising effort when the first was done. If he (and his apologists) keep up their line-budging ways, they won't have cheerleaders willing to cheer for them at all.
I don't think Title IX is enforceable when it comes to fundraising though. Government funds, absolutely but private funds, I'm not so sure.
Load More Replies... This is so disrespectful, I am sure they wanted to get something for the football team but couldn't find nobody to donate venues etc to them so they used the cheerleaders instead to get suckers to give things for free. Football teams always get updated equipment at least every 5 years the cheerleaders probably haven't had nothing new since about ten years or more. They set these parents up and this dad was the only one who had b***s to stand up to these people. I would have done the same thing.
So after months in the planning an event to raise funds for the cheerleaders, they expect the cheerleaders to step aside have the fundraiser used for the football team instead with no planning.... Guy did right
In other words, those football bros are leeches, selfish and entitled.
Load More Replies... NTA, OP. You're an ally to girls, and they need all the allies they can get right now. Thank you for your courage.
I don’t think Leche-Caliente quite understands the connotations of saying “go commando” in an article about school-age (under 18) cheerleaders, or football players.
I was thinking the same thing 😂😂 I had to re-read it.🤣🤣 I was like how is wearing no underwear going to help high schoolers!!
Load More Replies... Even at the elementary school where my husband teaches, everything is focused around football.
Football coach was trying to use you. I am glad you didn't let it happen and I hope you can raise the money for the cheerleaders. Don't worry about the others that were angered by canceling use of your property for furtherance of the football coach's ego trip. I have high respect for you!
If the PTA solicited donations showing their intentions to use the money to purchase cheerleaders uniforms and then changed it, they should be held accountable for deceptive actions? Pretty sad to have a parent group participating in something that would be considered unethical, what is it teaching the kids.
As a former cheer coach, I can tell you that often football, basketball, etc are all provided with funding from the school and sponsors. However, cheer was responsible for raising their own funds with absolutely zero contributed by the school. It's expensive for all of the gear, and it can take months to get there. I would have shut it down too.
honestly i hate how football is a priority. i was on the track team best we got was new uniforms cuz the old ones were falling apart. however wen the football coach wanted an astroturf field, new stands, new track (so the FOOTBALL team could do laps), a snack stand and better annoucer booth my high school jumped on it and granted his wish. i graduated before the new track was put in but i heard from my younger friends is was alot better then the old one and the cross country team has to warm up with the football team now which they hate bc they take up most of the track. these days cross country had resulted to warming up with the middle school team across the street on their track. they actually practice together only difference is the high schoolers have a longer route then the middle schoolers wen running around town. my high schools cheerleading squad had standards. if u werent good looking or talented enough u couldnt join. it made alot of parents mad but the excuse was that if a girl weighed more then another but was more talented they cant have her in the spolight on the pyramid or get thrown in the air bc shes heavier then most. their budget was also tied in with the footballs budget bc they made the football team look good. thats the reality of wanting pretty girls. the more i look back on high school the more grateful i m that i didnt join anything the school favored. i mightve gotten them news coverage bc i was the star short distant runner with good looks but i never let my gymnastics skills come to the schools attention.
NTA, period. No discussion at all. Everyone who voted for the football team is entitled and thought they would get one over on the parent. They f**ked around and found out.
I love it when people say I have to do something their way. "Sorry I have a**l glaucoma and.....I don't see my a** doing that."
I think that only works on the federal level not so much the private sector.
Load More Replies... Even if we view this as a verbal contract, he still has the right to revoke use of his property. The original agreement was for a specific event. Even though it's technically the same parent group, you can't switch out the event type as that isn't the original terms. And since it's private property, it doesn't matter what the majority voted. No one can just commandeer you or your property without legal process.
Did any of the Adults in this School PTA, ever INCLUDE this property owner in the Decisions to Vote to Change the Original Agreement for Use of His property??? This PTA group of ADULT PARENTS, Agreed with this Adult Property owner & Parent of a Cheerleader at this School, so I'm sure he was trying to support his child's Cheerleader Squad and the School!!! Obviously when the School made this Agreement with this PROPERTY OWNER it for the use of his property based on the Initial Agreement. I totally AGREE with the Property Owner, these Adult PARENTS, obviously never once considered the cheerleaders, nor the property owner's thoughts & emotions concerning this Change, and Did they INCLUDE the Property Owner in this Decision to Vote to Change, was His VOTE included in this matter This PTA behaved very selfishly, immaturely to become OFFENDED and Angry because "they Decided" to Vote to change the original agreement! Was the Property Owner included in this Discussion? DID HIS VOTE MATTER
I think the coach was opportunistic. He likely could have gotten another year out of the uniforms. But when he saw the efforts and likely success of the cheerleaders fundraiser, he figured he could just swoop in and save himself the effort making his own fundraiser. The coach was being weasel (my apologies to the animals). This guy did good. The sad part is this didn't really hurt the football players as it is easier to raise money for the football player than the cheerleaders. All that really happened was the coach is back to where he was (needing to raise $ for football) while cheerleaders got screwed. This guy can contact everyone that didn't vote for the football players, hold a private fundraiser, and buy the uniforms.
Schools will always have their priorities and they won't always match mine. Not the same as this switcheroo, but this year, after hearing my kids school spent $60k on computer equipment for the music department (a minority subject that few will pursue long term) I've decided not to pay the school "donation". The sport my kid plays is always stretched for enough uniforms and gear. Education is technically free in NZ, so they request a donation and I've always paid in the past, kind of for the sake of those who can't. But this year I'll wait and see what my daughter's sport might be in need of and buy it for them.
I agree with what he did. My high school staged a musical every year and it was quite successful. One year we made quite a bit of money and we were going to use it to purchase much needed technical equipment such as a couple of new follow spots. The Principal made the decision to spend the money on the football team. We were outraged but our protests were ignored. Too often sports are given priority over the efforts of other school clubs.
Since they changed the fundraiser, offer to rent them your venue at a "discount" if they accept and rent it from you donate the full rental price to a restricted gift to the cheerleading squad.
This was a contractual arrangement. He agreed to provide something at no cost on the condition that it was for the cheerleaders. ~~~They~~~ changed the terms of the agreement which nullified the contract, not him.
Let them panic and freak out for a while as they check prices on other venues and realize the expense. At the eleventh hour, offer to host again, but only if cheerleading gets 80% of the proceeds, football 20%, and get those percentages in writing. It might sting to give football anything, but 80% is better than 0% for the cheerleaders.
NTA and everyone knows it, even the football team. They’re upset they didn’t get what THEY wanted. Keep fighting, the cheerleaders need someone in their corner. Also, schools treat high school football like it’s a full time job and VIP benefits. It’s nauseating.
You did the right thing. You had a contract and the PTA tried to change the terms unilaterally. They broke the contract. You did exactly what you promised. You aren't required to do more. As for the majority and their time and money, they still have control over their own stuff. Just not over yours. I will also point out that you took a strong stand that cheerleaders (usually female) should be equal to football players (almost always males). It's too easy for organizations to shuffle women to the back of the line. Congrats for not letting them.
It seems so simple to me. You would let them use your property for a cheerleader event, so you cannot be bound when that is called off.
NTA Tell them "Oh no, that's not the event I signed up for. Mine was for the cheerleaders. So YOU are mistaken. You must have me mixed up with someone else."
NTA mate. And...frankly, I don't believe for a single second that this was not planned from the very beginning.
This makes me angry that they would even think they’d still be able to use the fathers property and then wanna make a fuss when he’s like yea that’s not gonna happen. I’d have just donated the outfits myself as a father this is irritating to see hope the team gets there outfits
The football and other athletic teams have their own boosters in most schools. At least the schools in my district. Football, basketball, Track, band and cheerleading all have separate fundraisers. The coach and the PTA was out of bounds for this.
I'm really not getting the thought process behind the change of who got the proceeds. Fine the football team needs a fundraiser. If it were so imperative why didnt they just pull together another committe and get to planning one for the football team and let the cheerleaders have their moment to be appreciated. VERY NTA.
I wonder why the football coach waited until then to say anything. Seems if it was really an issue, he'd have brought it up before instead of trying to take over a fundraiser for another department/team
He probably saw how well the cheerleaders' fund raiser was going during the planning and set up phase.
Load More Replies... NTA if I am understanding this correctly the fundraiser has not occurred yet. I would let the cheer parents, and any other parents with a basic moral compass, know that they could continue with the cheerleader’s fundraiser on your property and give all of the proceeds directly to the cheer coach if possible. Just cut out the PTA, the majority of which, apparently, do not have a code of ethics to speak of. These are supposed to be the parents of the students. They are supposed to be setting a standard of behavior and teaching values which is vastly more important than football or any sport or activity. Good for you standing up for your kid and doing the right thing. The people giving you a hard time need to reevaluate their priorities and realize it was those that voted to steal the cheer squad’s event that “trashed their hard work”. You are a good parent and that’s going to last a lifetime, way beyond the idiocy of high school.
Unfortunately, there are usually a MINIMUM of 22 kids on a football team not including water and towel boys statisticians etc while a Normal cheer squad will be lucky to have 10 kids. Most of these PTA members were probably just voting for their kids interest and deeming it okay bc they are "doing what's best for their kid" rather than teaching them how to be their best.
Load More Replies... NTA, but what I would do is tell them that the fundraiser can go ahead on your property, but that your donation of the venue was to the cheerleading team, not the football team, so that portion of the revenue (name an equivalent venue cost) needs to go to the cheerleaders.
There was another choice to avoid having the event canceled. He could have charged them the amount he would have charged had he not offered it for free and then donated that money to the cheerleader fund. I don't know if it would pay for all the uniforms but that would be a compromise.
You charge them a rental fee for the venue and a cut off the gross sales. F**k the football team who has new great every year anyway. I've never met a single football coach (including my uncles) who wouldn't lie to their mother on her deathbed just to get some new c**p for the weight room.
Load More Replies... If I were you, I would spend the money you were going to spend when you donated your property for the venue and go out a buy the cheerleaders their uniforms. You did the right thing…
What does he mean they won't be able to find another venue for the event. There's a school, right? Unless it's a one room school house from the 1845, it's probably bigger than any other venue around. Second, the author quoted from the book, “On the Psychology of Promising" by Herbert J. Schlesinger. Are those ACTUAL quotes or did the author of this article, a millennial (without a doubt), write them from memory. Because no one would say that promises “take the life of their own,”. Those murdering promises. I hate promises that murder. Or did the author mean that they take ON a life their own? Did he go on to say that that in the end, the promises are fulfilled one way or another, or did he actually say 'fulfilling themselves “even in spite of the too-late change of heart of the promiser". They are fulfilled with hatred and in spite. Did a doctor really write that book? I know people hate Grammar Nauseas but this is about school money misappropriation.
What does he mean they won't be able to find another venue for the event. There's a school, right? Unless it's a one room school house from the 1845, it's probably bigger than any other venue around. Second, the author quoted from the book, “On the Psychology of Promising" by Herbert J. Schlesinger. Are those ACTUAL quotes or did the author of this article, a millennial (without a doubt), write them from memory. Because no one would say that promises “take the life of their own,”. Those murdering promises. I hate promises that murder. Or did the author mean that they take ON a life their own? Did he go on to say that that in the end, the promises are fulfilled one way or another, or did he actually say 'fulfilling themselves “even in spite of the too-late change of heart of the promiser". They are fulfilled with hatred and in spite. Did a doctor really write that book? I know people hate Grammar Nauseas but this is about school money being misappropriated.
This happens far too often. Girls sports (and yes, cheerleading is a sport, with all the related sports injuries) are *always* backburnered once one of the boys teams needs something. And football even beats out other boys teams if they have a need. This blatant bias and extreme favoritism is disgusting and sends a horrible message to young people, and especially young girls. "It doesn't matter how hard you work, or how talented you are, or what you contribute to this school - the football team is more important than all of you, because football."
NTA. Although, I find it weird that the school doesn't have boosters club too. It being small school isn't a good reason. I prob went to one of the smallest schools in the country & we even had a boosters. I mean I had 250 kids 7-12 grade. I graduated with a senior class of 32 kids, one of the biggest graduating classes in school history. My sis graduated 7 Yrs later with 16 kids. We STILL had a boosters club . Why did it even have to be either or? Why not let cheer know they're still getting new uniforms but maybe a nice but slightly cheaper option than planned & if/when they hit the goal the remainder will go.to football. Or do 2 at once. bake sale for cheer & car wash for football at the same venue or something similar. Both teams keep whatever it is they make from their specific product/service. Or, & hear me out. If both teams need new uniforms hold two fundraisers. It's naive to think he would agree after they told his daughter her hobby isn't as important as football
You should still host the event. Charge them $1,000. Give the money to the Cheer team.
You are not the a*****e. But as a parent who has both sides of the coin, a lot more money goes into football because it draws a bigger crowd. Sideline cheer is not something that draws a crowd. And I can guarantee if you ask every cheerleader on the team, 75 to 80% of them will tell you that they absolutely hate sidelining. Comp cheer is what they're in for. So the bigger money raiser is football. So again, you are absolutely not the a*****e, I would have done the exact same thing. I'm just trying to give you some insight on why it probably went down that way. And good luck to your daughter, I hope she continues her dreams of cheering if that's what she wants. 💚
Fk them. Your daughter will always remember this as well. I would have done the same. Who cares about the PTA anyways. Too much drama
I remember in my school days the school letting the school auditorium be used for certain things. Firehouse coming in to discuss fire safety. Anti drug events. So what if one of them came in and said "Oh we're actually going to do a PRO-Drugs event instead" Or even "we're going to discuss how awesome video games are instead". I'm sure the school would no longer let them use the venue they agreed to since they changed what it was for. Saying the father went back on his word or changed his mind is ridiculous. The school went back and changed their mind.
He did right thing. This was plain bait and switch. Abd it is his property, they can vote whatever they want, in the end, property was donated for cheerleader fundraiser. Not football team. abd since no one even wanted compromise or ask what people who donated think, they deserve losing it. And if they had even a bit of morality left inside them, they would have understood that father was doing that for daughter, instead they went in like corporate heartless bean counters. If I make a donation for certain purpose, I expect it to be spent for that exact purpose. Not just put to whatever someone else thinks. Doesn't matter if that other group needs it more, I made donation and I decide which group needs it. I just hate it when some organization thinks they can get away with just about everything. Even if it is school.
He was 100% right to cancel. They made an agreement to give the money to the cheerleaders. He made an agreement to provide the venue. They change their mind and so did he.
Yeah sounds like maggot at my old place of work. We fundraised for outdoor equipment. She took all the money and used it for an activity (she decided was extra important, that only a select few could use once a year (her, one other person and up to 5 children). Then said we could fundraise to pay for the rest of the payment for her activity because the money she stole wasn't enough! Grrr.
Someone mentioned that schools have 'boost teams'? not all schools, maybe larger US schools. The rest tend to have PTA's. NTA. Some people only go to watch the cheerleaders as the team isn't that good. Anyway, why cant/hasn't the coach gone to their supporters and demanded new equipment?
The level of intensity I see in sports in the USA is rather frightening. Sure here in Australia, we have our sports freaks and it's considered weird to have no interest in sport (like I do) but our schools and universities are not overburdened with the idea of a sports scholarship in education. I'm sure these things exist here but I've never known anyone who was admitted to university on the basis of their sporting ability.
There is definitely a religion around AFL and Rugby League, but the good news is that there are now women’s leagues for all the most popular men’s sports, and they are gaining in popularity amongst viewers. TV networks televise them and many people are invested in their team. Funding is still too low - most female sports’ stars have to hold down a full time job as well, but hopefully that will change. School, however, do not tend to worship a footy team as their gods, although sport is still usually considered more important than the arts (a career in the arts can continue until you are really ancient, not 30).
Load More Replies... Please forgive my ignorance, but I hope you can help me. I understand that this post is from the US and would like to know how much influence or authority a PTA has within the school?
As long as you were clear up front that the use of your property was because of the Cheerleaders, ok. I've done PTA too many years and this stuff happens A LOT.
NTA. This was probably their thought from the beginning. I know that football brings in a lot of revenue, but schools think it is the be all, end all.
There never should have been ANY vote at all. This wasn't about football at all. If you did a fundraiser for girl scouts would you give it to the boy scouts because they need it more?
Way too much money is already spent on athletic programs, but, in this instance, I have to agree with the father.
Not surprised. Sports like football and baseball are chosen over any other activities. My high school spent money on an astroturf football stadium and new baseball fields but when it came to the choir room with water damage and mold to be cleaned up, the school district suddenly no longer had the funds for that. My school choir had to move to the school auditorium because the choir room had so much mold it in.
Thinking that the PTA has some bylaws in place, it looks like the coach was able to take advantage of a loophole within the bylaws. If so, then PTA members need to review and update their bylaws soon to avoid any potential similar issues in the future. If there are no bylaws, then they should put some in place asap. Their bylaws need to include an in-kind donation closure and clearly specify if and how to handle in-kind donations when these are made for specific project(s) that cannot longer be met. Use of venue (in-kind donation) to hold a fundraising event to buy new uniforms for cheerleaders (project). If their bylaws were written the way they should, then the in-kind donation should have been frozen while given the donor the ability to decide to either (re)donate the in-kind donation to the PTA's "general fund" to use as they see fit (buy football equipment) OR, decide to retire (cancel) the in-kind donation for a period of time or indefinitely.
if it involves high chool football and PTA, they are always the a*****e .
I'm thought the football team got all the money they need. I never have seen fundraisers for the football team.
I would have held the fundraiser for them and had the cheerleaders also there too with a box to collect at least something. And the vendors that were selling the items could split the money they made in half for each group.
Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Unless the cheerleaders had a vendor that they could directly buy the uniforms from instead of through the school the school gets the money and does whatever they want. Football has always been the biggest part of high school even over other sports and then those sports come next. Cheerleaders and non sports related programs always comes last. I have been out of school for over 40 years and it was that way back then even in small schools like mine.
Load More Replies... So lets get this right you, you were willing to help school by allowing them to have an event for many scantily clad young girls, but when money went to very well covered boys you said no I wont help school??
The problem is football brings in more money than cheer, especially if the cheer squad is only to support the teams and doesn't compete on their own in competitions. Football brings in funds at otherwise underfunded schools. Selling tickets and concessions can help raise money for books, computers, renovationd, etc. Cheer is seen as a way to support the football team and not it's own team. People don't go to football games to watch cheerleaders (for the most part.) Use your money to support the other clubs and programs otherwise if cuts have to happen the clubs that don't make the school money but cost it get cut first or overlooked. Want to see art and they're clubs get more attention? Buy tickets to the school play, go to the art exhibit and make a donation buy a piece of student art, get your friends and family to all buy tickets to the band/chorus recital, try to get a talented team of cheerleaders to go to cheer competitions. Don't just treat it as a hobby.
To clarify, that's not to say this is right or that's the way it should be, it's just how it is. In a perfect world this wouldn't be an issue bc our schools would be adequately funded to begin with. All clubs/activities would be treated equally. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in. Clubs and sports are about creating income streams for the school first and foremost and about expanding kids interest, providing after school care, and giving kids a healthy outlet and keeping them physically fit is second. Football will always be the top program given the most attention bc it brings in the.most money unless some other team is the best of the best. In a school that hasn't won a championship in anything people will still shown up to watch a game. But, if the FB team is junk and the cheer squad wins a national championship on ESPN 2, well it MIGHT have a chance to draw a bigger crowd. Unless of course the ntls winning club is the color guard, nobody cares about them j/k, kind of.
Load More Replies... Yep. YTA. You threw a hissy fit because you got outvoted and threw everyone’s efforts in the trash. Football gear is far more expensive than measly cheer uniforms. You could've easily asked for the remainder of the money to be used for the uniforms or asked for a percentage of the funds to be spent on the cheerleading team. On top of that, football is far more important when it comes to having good gear. Helmets, pads, and cleats that are worn out or old will cause injuries. A non stylish cheer uniform or old Pom poms won’t. Football is also more important to get scholarships to college for some kids. Cheer isn’t. Grow up.
Cheer is dangerous too…and they do it without all that gear. They have their uniforms and that’s it. Football is NOT more important. It’s just a sport like any other that, for whatever reason, is treated like a religion in the US. And cheer isn’t easy - it’s just a different skillset that typically involves gymnastics (you know, that SPORT that is usually seen at the Olympics) A school will pay for football equipment before it does BOOKS. You keep saying stuff to people like football gets people scholarships - and it does. But do you honestly think there are no baseball, basketball or, yes, cheer! Scholarships? I mean people get scholarships related to just getting good grades. Your comments are completely asinine, ignorant and dripping with misogyny.
Load More Replies... Been to a clothing store lately? Now try getting multiple copies of a 'style' in special colors, sizes, graphics, etc., in materials that will last longer than one season.... It ain't gonna be cheap. That's for sure!!
Load More Replies... For HS I agree. College level cheerleaders however are on a whole different level, and are essentially group gymnastics.
Load More Replies... Why are you giving your opinion on this article? Why do you care what people think? Are you looking for some sort of validation on social media? Be careful. People might start thinking you're a pussy!
Load More Replies... Whats your reasoning for that? He agreed to help the cheerleaders not the football team who pushed them aside..
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