Give ‘em a boost

Local News

November 13, 2009

Osky schools resurrect booster club

By ANDY GOODELL

OSKALOOSA — After a decade or so hiatus, Oskaloosa Schools will have a booster club once again.

Kevin Pederson, Oskaloosa High School activities director, said there’s no better time than the present to establish such a club. He added, the school board approved the club’s bylaws on Tuesday.

“At this time, with budget cuts and a lot of new things on the horizon, it’s an excellent time to start,” said Pederson. “I’m just really excited about it. We’re working with some good people and we’ve needed this for a long time.”

Pederson, now in his fourth year with the district, said the Oskaloosa Indian Booster Club will promote everything from sports to academics and fine arts in Oskaloosa schools. He said the club could help foster funding for everything from new football helmets to travel expenses for the high school debate team.

Membership in the booster club will be three fold, according to Pederson. With an established booster club, Pederson said local businesses may only need to be asked to help out financially once each year, rather than throughout the school year. Perhaps the most important financial gain for the school district will come in the form of family and individual memberships, said Pederson.

“We haven’t really tapped into community resources financially,” he said of the family and individual club membership options.

Supporting the Oskaloosa School District financially through the booster club is not the only way its members can help out, said Pederson.

“There is a lot of volunteerism involved,” Pederson said. “Perhaps working at the concession stand or other game work would be good. We need people to support our kids.”

Pederson said the club is still in its infancy. While he will serve as a liaison between the school and the booster club, officers including president, vice president and secretary will need to be determined.

At a meeting to be held 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Oskaloosa High School cafeteria, booster club officers will be elected. Those interested in joining the club are encouraged to attend.

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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com