Not just ‘extras’

As the Tabernacle School District continues to grapple with a budget shortfall, a group of parents has come together to “make the biggest effort possible” to bring back sports and activities the district reluctantly cut in the 2026-’27 budget.

The parents – led by Lindsay Hauenstein and Becky Skare – set up a GoFundMe page, Restore Sports and Activities in Tabernacle, with the goal of raising $40,000.

“This fundraiser came about due to a significant funding gap for next year,” Skare explained. “At this time, the (2026-’27) school budget does not include funding for sports and club programs, which means these programs will not be able to run without additional support.”

There has been some discussion from administration about the possibility of a “pay-to-play” model, which would require students to pay fees – potentially up to $400 – to participate in some programs, according to Skare. But there has been no formal plan established or communicated, leaving uncertainty around how the activities and sports would continue without community support.

“We are working to raise approximately $40,000, which will go directly toward supporting these programs,” Skare noted. “The funds will help cover essential needs such as stipends, transportation and basic operating costs required to keep sports teams and clubs active and accessible to students.”

Tabernacle is a pre-K to 8 school district. It includes Tabernacle Elementary School and Kenneth Olson Middle School.

The extracurriculars cut in the budget, according to Hauenstein, include all sports – field hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball, track and field and cross country – and all clubs – art, OMS band, fourth-grade band, Battle of the Books, chess, chorus, drama at both schools, hand chimes, student council and the National Junior Honor Society.

“Parents at the school will still be paying a sports and activities fee in conjunction with the money raised,” Hauenstein emphasizsed. “We’re going to ask the board to raise the current activity fee from $80 to $100 for sports and $80 to $70 for (other) activities.”

Hauenstein said parents recognize the financial burden it may be for families in the district with multiple children in multiple activities.

“We just felt the need to try our best to alleviate that burden,” she acknowledged, “and raise as much as we could through events and community support.”

Every little bit counts, Hauenstein added, toward providing for the community’s students.

“While other districts across New Jersey have managed budget cuts without stripping students of the experiences that make school meaningful, our district was unable to prepare for this,” she pointed out. “Our children now face a future with no after-school activities unless families and community members come together to raise the money ourselves.”

Sports, clubs and all extracurricular activities are not “extras” for so many kids, the parents insist. They are where friendships are built, confidence grows, passions are discovered and students feel connected and safe as part of a team or club.

“For many children, these programs are the reason they look forward to going to school each day,” Hauenstein said. “This is the first time in all the years that Tabernacle has been around that sports and activities have been cut from the budget. We cannot let this happen”

Skare couldn’t agree more.

The impact of budget cuts is substantial, not only for students, but also for staff,” she related.

“These programs provide students with opportunities for teamwork, leadership, physical activity and a strong sense of community and belonging,” Skare added. “For many students, sports and clubs are a key part of their school experience, and without funding, they would lose access to these important opportunities.

“In addition, many teachers and coaches rely on stipends tied to these programs as part of their overall income.”