Seaford schools' sports rescued from brink

A group of Seaford parents who hosted fundraising parties, held bake sales and got donations from more than 320 local businesses has brought in enough money to save one season of middle school sports and is pledging to rescue more.

The parents' group, called Save Seaford Sports, presented a $43,000 check to school officials this month to pay for the first session of winter sports, including boys basketball and girls volleyball. Now on deck: fundraising to save "winter II" and spring sports.

"It was a huge accomplishment," said Risa Price, co-president of Save Seaford Sports. "It gave the whole community a renewed energy to the effort. People believe we can do it."

Before the school year began, most middle-school sports had been cut to save $141,000 after voters in May rejected the district's proposed budget. A second budget defeat in June forced the district to an austerity spending plan.

Seaford's initial $55.2-million plan had the largest proposed property-tax increase of any district in Nassau County, at 8.99 percent. The amended $54.9-million budget that was rejected in June would have meant an 8.35 percent increase in the tax levy. Under the austerity budget, the district tax-levy increase was 8.12 percent.

Local school officials said they had tried to contain costs, but the district had a nearly $1.5-million cut in state aid and a lack of reserve funds. Included among the cuts, ultimately, was the $141,000 that had paid for portions of the middle-school sports program.

Fall sports, such as football and fall cheerleading, were funded. But the winter I, winter II and spring sports were cut.

With the parents' fundraising efforts saving the winter I sports, basketball tryouts were taking place this week, Seaford superintendent Brian Conboy said.

Eighth-grader Ryan Lynch, whose mother, Annmarie Lynch, is co-president of Save Seaford Sports, is trying out for basketball and wants to play baseball in the spring. He was concerned he was going to miss the basketball season.

"I was upset because I wasn't going to play sports, and I was upset because I didn't have anything to do after school," said Ryan, 13, adding he was relieved when the sports were restored.

Now, by the end of December, the parents' group needs to raise $28,000 for winter II sports, such as boys wrestling and girls basketball, Annmarie Lynch said. They've raised about $10,000 of that amount so far and have a number of fundraisers scheduled, including holiday parties.

After that, they will seek to restore spring sports, including track, girls softball, boys baseball and lacrosse for boys and girls.

Price believes they will make the goal.

"I am not only hopeful, but optimistic that we will," she said. "We have a great community and people will pull together."