RUMFORD – Several middle school parents and at least one SAD 43 board member want the stipend positions for three junior varsity coaches put back into the district’s operating budget.

“This gives students who don’t make the varsity a chance to play sports,” Mexico resident Ray Broomhall said.

The positions of junior varsity soccer, baseball and softball were eliminated this year, despite a vote to put the $6,000 back in the budget.

“We cut more than $700,000, including 11 teaching positions, and $6,000 out of athletics,” Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said. “We know this will be a tough year.”

He said later that he anticipates a $100,000 deficit in the school budget, largely because of the cost of heating oil and diesel fuel.

“As a superintendent, I have to weigh all variables. It’s a fairness and equity issue,” he said of the elimination of the three coaching positions.

Broomhall, however, believes the middle school usually takes the brunt of any hits to athletics.

Judy Collette, parent of a middle school student, read a letter written by Susan and Brad Adley and signed by her and her husband, Victor, that said all junior varsity sports should be treated equally.

“We voted to put the stipends back in. Please reconsider,”she said.

District athletic director John Bernard said numbers for the three junior varsity sports have not been sufficient, but if the board decides to reinstate the activities at the Sept. 2 meeting, they could be offered this year.

Bernard was directed to determine the amount of money each student who participates in any sport or extracurricular activity would have to pay to make up the $6,000 needed for the three sports.

Board representative Tracey Higley wants the three sports retained.

“I want information on pay-to-play, and would also like alternatives,” he said.

If such a solution is used to reinstate the three sports, the district would be developing a so-called pay-to-play program where each child who takes part in any sport or activity must pay a fee.

The board also asked longtime middle school coach Brian Mills for ideas for raising the money or offering the sports. Mills suggested that the board also take a broader view by discussing all middle school sports.

An official discussion and vote on the issue will take place at the Sept. 2 board meeting.

In other matters, Hodgkin said bus driver Bruce Bulger earned a first place trophy in the recent bus rodeo held at Sugarloaf USA.

New staff hired include Heidi Broomhall as a foreign language teacher at Mountain Valley High School and Ryan Parent as a middle level teacher at the Pennacook Learning Center.

Board members were also asked to consider establishing a new committee that would be devoted to reviewing student and professional development data and to recommend the startup or elimination of student programs. A decision will be made next month.