Administration: Superintendent

Football Season Provides Additional Revenue

Where Does the Money Go?

by Bill Heimann

December 11, 2007

Wakefield Community School has been blessed with consecutive undefeated football seasons which resulted in twenty-six wins and two State Championships! Our school and community are proud of these young men and their coaches for their amazing accomplishments!

During the regular football season and playoffs, Wakefield games drew large crowds. Many have asked, “How much money did the school make?” and “What are you going to do with all of that money?” I will attempt to explain how much additional revenue the district received and what will happen with that money.

All gate receipts during the regular season are deposited in the District Activity Account, which consists of separate accounts for all student activities (athletics, fine arts, homecoming, prom, student organizations). Gate receipts for the regular season (4 home games) were $9784. This money is used to support the football program annually (purchasing new helmets, shoulder pads, uniforms, equipment, supplies). Game officials for the regular season were paid $1565. The cost for transportation, coaching salaries, insurance, and field rental, is paid by the school district’s General fund (not money from the gate receipts or the Activity Fund).

All profits from the concession stands at athletic events goes to the student organizations that work at the event. The Junior class parents working for Post Prom earn all profits from their food sales at Athletic events.

Gate receipts for home playoff games were $18,715. Expenses included: NSAA-Nebraska Schools Activities Association ($7157); referees ($1056); visiting teams (Louisville, Laurel, Hartington CC) $3841. Visiting schools receive a portion of gate receipts during the playoffs (Wakefield received $1376 from Elmwood-Murdoch). Other expenses included ticket takers and event staff ($660); charter bus for Elmwood-Murdoch ($870). Championship game expenses included hotel rooms in Lincoln ($1784); meals ($720); tickets for team to attend Class D championship game ($595); transportation costs for 2 buses, 3 vans (paid by district’s general fund). NSAA reimbursed Wakefield for mileage ($343) and a portion of gate receipts from championship game ($1608). A grand total of $22042 was received for the post-season. Expenses for the post-season were $16683, for a net-gain of $5359 in the Activity Fund.

Wakefield School’s Activity Programs have been self-sufficient in recent history. The revenue generated by football, volleyball, and basketball subsidize the costs of other programs that generate fewer (or zero) receipts. Junior High Athletics has no revenue; expenses are more than $1000 annually for entry fees and game officials. High school Golf, Track, and Wrestling had a negative $3500 balance in 2006-07. Homecoming, One-Act Play, and an outstanding Competitive Speech program have annual expenditures that are approximately $2500 greater than annual revenues.

The additional revenue generated by the football program from the past two years will help support all school activities. Wakefield School has enjoyed great success in Activities the past few years, and the “bonus income” will help pay for future years when revenues may not be as strong (and costs continue to increase).