Marblehead High sports programs face budget ax

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead High student Aaron Rothbard made an eloquent plea for his school’s junior varsity golf program, which is in danger of being cut next year due to budget constraints.One of several speakers opposing cutbacks of JV golf and gymnastics, Rothbard said JV golf was the only fall sport he and his friends have right now and it helped him make the transition from the Marblehead Veterans Middle School to Marblehead High.”I knew people at the high school because of golf,” he said, “and there are lessons learned from golf that stay with you all your life.”A father who said his son plays golf and his daughter does gymnastics questioned the value of the estimated $3,000 saved by cutting golf against the cost to society if a budding golfer turns to alcohol or drugs.School Committee Chairman Patricia Blackmer told the parents that the committee plans to discuss the Fiscal 2011 budget at their retreat, scheduled for July 22 at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School. The retreat is a public meeting.