Parents and athletes at T.L. Hanna High School are working together to raise money, hoping to offset district budget cuts that eliminated funding for transportation of each of the school's 39 sports teams, according to athletic director Kenya Fouch. It's a problem he said is much broader reaching than the Anderson County high school.
"It's state-wide, really nation-wide," said Fouch. "Everybody's having these trouble with the money issues and what's important enough to spend money on."
Fouch said he's in a better position than district officials, who consider budgets in terms of people's jobs, however, coming up with enough money to cover the more than $50-thousand dollar transportation bill for the more than 400 student athletes, was a problem.
"It actually is that severe. We're talking about a pretty significant sum of money," said Fouch.
He went to parents and athletes with the idea of a $20 coupon card, which will last 12-months and offer discounts to almost 20 Anderson area businesses and restaurants. The goal is to raise $20,000, and so far, parents and students are willing to work.
"All of the parents, students gathered together and said, we can do this," said Chana Fletcher. "Because they're local businesses, we're supporting the community and we're asking them to support us at Hanna."
Parents said the athletic programs do so much to help their children, cutting them back should not be an option.
"It keeps children out of trouble. It keeps them focused on their education and with football, they're at school a long time, so they don't have to wander," said Susie Petratos, who's son, Austin, is one of many athletes working to sell the cards.
"It just goes to show how great this community is. How we can come together as a team," said Austin Petratos
To purchase a coupon card, call T.L. Hanna High School at 260-5110.
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