Costs & Cuts: Tight budgets challenge Basin schools, athletes

Some played to be competitive. Some just played for fun.

At Butte Valley they’re now playing less.

In an effort to trim its athletic budget, the Dorris high school dropped three sports — alpine skiing, baseball and softball. Though those seasons haven’t started, the students already feel the effects.

“It takes a lot away,” said junior Nan Perez, who played baseball last season. “It gave me something to do after school, just keep me busy, instead of going and just walking around. It gave me something creative to do with a group of friends.”

The cuts don’t just affect performance after school.

“I think it was a very successful program,” said Wendy Levesque, who coached the alpine team for four years. “I think of three students right away who, I think, it affected their completing school. It gave them a place to connect.”

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