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This year, the orchestra program raised most of their money from sending out dozens of players with the task of selling poinsettias and mums. Fundraisers like these are rarely seen among programs like football or basketball — no need for them to frantically hit the streets knocking on neighbors’ doors.
Sports and sports-related activities — think marching band — are often placed at a higher importance over other areas of performing arts or clubs, shown blatantly by how many people show up for each one. Because of this lack of representation within the East community, these “forgotten” activities, like orchestra or Freelancer, are left in the dust when it comes to monetary support.
The East community should be equally supportive and aware of programs outside the classics — football, basketball, marching band — and recognize traditionally underrepresented programs through not only monetary support, but simple appreciation and attending program’s events such as car washes or bake sales.
It’s easy to complain that programs are underfunded or undercut by the school, but this isn’t entirely true. There’s careful consideration that goes into the amount of money each program receives. Programs often get needed money from the district, according to principal Jason Peres. The real problem that goes unaddressed is a lack of advertisement of certain programs, leading to less publicity and money generated from individual fundraising outside of the guaranteed budget.
The unfortunate reality is that due to the value East community members place on sports, fundraising, donations and booster clubs disproportionately favor athletic activities — like the Lancer Dancer pancake breakfast that over 500 people attended in 2022.
Funding for East’s activities come from three sources: district allotment, gate accounts — funds from selling tickets to sports games — and club accounts. District and gate accounts have a specific spending budget for each activity and all expenses must be approved by the district, athletic director or administration. Club accounts are individually managed and have the money generated from that program’s booster club or fundraisers.
The starting funds are about $55,000 for sports and $18,000 for all other activities. While this seems disproportionate, it’s rare for any activity or sport to not get the funding that is absolutely necessary, according to Peres. Generally, sports have a higher need for transportation and using facilities, contributing to the drastic difference.
Normally, the district allotment and the use of the gate account is on a need basis. Administration isn’t going to prioritize finding money for soccer to buy new jerseys or for the theater department to renovate the Little Theater. But the club accounts are able to step in and provide needed funds when administration isn’t able to.
Of course it’s unrealistic to ask that the East community pay up and pitch in to every program. Instead, an easy way to combat this funding disparity is to support not only the fundraisers for programs you’re involved in but also those you’re able to contribute to. It’s not difficult to go to an orchestra car wash that would cost you the same money a Starbucks drink does, even if you’ve never touched a violin.
To be fair, the programs themselves have to take some of the blame for underrepresentation. Being marketable comes from the efforts of the program — it’s not entirely the administration’s problem to deal with.
By being more present in the student body and smaller programs with a bigger social media presence or simple word of mouth, the financial scales can even out.
At the end of the day, by being more supportive — financially or just by being present — you’re investing in the futures of students within their programs. It’s not an issue isolated to just one group of people. Everyone — students, program directors, parents — can benefit from a larger understanding of the people they’re surrounded by, creating a willingness to contribute to all parts of the East community.
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