Reporter-News Archives Wednesday, June 25, 1997 Funds requests generate discussion at board meeting By LESLIE STRADER / Abilene Reporter-News Two items from the consent agenda generated more discussion than usual during Monday night's Abilene school board meeting. The board voted to increase the tuition for AISD driver's education program from $200 to $220 beginning next year. The district asked for an increase because AISD will no longer be receiving a rebate for the leased cars it uses in driving instruction. Joe Humphrey, director of academic programs, said the rate has not been increased for at least six years. Also, a request for funds to purchase an inflatable cougar's head was pulled from the consent agenda until the board can receive more information. Cooper High School's athletic department requested they be allow to use $3,000 from the student activity fund to purchase a large, inflatable cougar's head for the football team to run through at games. The head cost $6,000, but the athletic department had planned to pay for half of it with student activity money collected through a Coke machine in the fieldhouse. The other half would come from the department's budgeted funds, which also pays for things like helmets, pads and uniforms. The captains of the 1997 football team "held a meeting and request(ed) this donation be presented to the school board for approval," according to a memo from Cooper's athletic department. Polnick reported there is currently $6,000 total in Cooper's athletic activity fund. Because the other half of the $6,000 head would be paid for with district money, the trustees wanted to consider the issue further before approving the purchase. "I think what has our attention is the $3,000 of district money," trustee Mike Sullivan said. They requested Coach Randy Allen be present at the next meeting to address their concerns. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1997, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications