Claremont’s Stevens High School is grappling with a severe budget shortfall, yet its athletes and coaches remain determined to keep the school’s sports programs alive.
On Monday night, students, parents, and community members confronted the Claremont school board, pressing for solutions to the district’s multimillion-dollar deficit, which is estimated between $1 million and $5 million.
Senior Lilianna Clarke expressed the frustration felt by many:
“And you knew we were in debt and you’re not doing anything until now when we are literally in the hole.”
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Attendees were warned of the consequences for students involved in sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities.
“It’s not fair. You’re going to have so many devastated athletes and drama students and art students,” one community member said.
District officials have already taken steps to address the financial crisis, including eliminating 19 new teaching positions and authorizing cuts to 20 additional jobs, affecting custodians, secretaries, and other staff.
Assistant Superintendent Michael Koski explained the impact:
“All of those staff who are still employed and all the teachers, everybody will be working more. Some class sizes will be larger, some classrooms will have to mix grades.”
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The school board emphasized cost-cutting measures, including eliminating or reducing non-mandatory extracurricular programs.
District attorney Jim O’Shaughnessy warned bluntly,
“If people don’t come forward with money, there are not going to be fall sports, winter sports, or spring sports.”
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Despite these challenges, the athletic director remains confident that fall sports can start as scheduled.
In the face of financial uncertainty, Stevens High athletes and coaches are stepping up.
Coach Emily of the varsity cheerleading team shared a message with her squad, underscoring the importance of resilience and teamwork:
“They have cut our funding, but they can’t ever cut our programs. Each and every athlete deserves to play. Middle and high school students should not be worrying about if they are going to have games… they should only be focusing on their training, team bonding, and enjoying their adolescence lives as young athletes!”
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Coach Emily called on her team—and the entire athletic department—to rally together and raise funds to cover essential costs, from equipment to travel. She added,
“We WILL get through this. We WILL rise above this. And most importantly, we WILL support not only our program but all of our fellow student athletes and coaches. Our job is to be the heart and soul of this school and our athletic department.”
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State officials have also taken notice. Governor Kelly Ayotte criticized local mismanagement, calling the multimillion-dollar deficit “unacceptable” and pledging the Department of Education’s support to ensure students can start school without further disruption.
For Stevens High, the message is clear: while funding may be limited, determination, teamwork, and community support will ensure that its athletes continue to thrive.
