CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -
A final decision may come on the future of the middle school sports program in Clayton County on Monday. The Clayton County School Board is considering cutting sports because of budget problems.
Potentially the school district could team up with the parks and recreation department to save sports for students.
Sports programs are an important part of school for many Clayton county middle school students. But the track, football, basketball and volleyball programs at the middle schools are in jeopardy because of money troubles. School officials says eliminating middle school sports could save the district $900,000.
The potential to lose the sports program prompted 7th grader Jared Daniel to take action. He started a petition to save middle school sports. He's already collected hundreds of signatures.
The board is now in negotiations with the parks department to take over operations of its middle school sports teams. That could be a good solution for parents who say sports belong in school despite the cost.
The Clayton County School Board meets to vote on its final budget on Monday night.
