Shawnee Heights dance squad upset about cuts

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 6, 2003 by Alicia Henrikson Capital-Journal

U S D 4 5 0 B U D G E T

By Alicia Henrikson

The Capital-Journal

Christie Pease and Janelle Wheeler consider dancing an important part of life, as do the other 24 members of the dance squad at Shawnee Heights High School.

The girls on the squad were upset when they learned that the school board had eliminated the position of the team's only assistant coach, Holly Wetmore, last week during a series of budget reductions.

"We don't think it's fair that her job got cut," said Wheeler. "Other teams have more than one assistant. We have one."

Several squad members and their parents took their concerns about the cut to the Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 board of education meeting Monday. Dance coach Lisa Ready and Wetmore also attended.

Ready has served as the coach for the squad for seven years. Wetmore, who earns about $19,000, has been the assistant for two years.

The squad rehearses at least five hours a week. But, Ready said, without an assistant, the squad members won't be able to practice if she should happen to be sick or have a family problem.

"There's no back-up," she said. "All activities and sports are allowed at least one back up. I just ask that someone else help."

Dance squad members and parents argued that that there should be continuity with the squad.

"The girls invest a lot of time learning their art and their sport," said Renae Hansen, the mother of Leshia Hansen, captain of the squad this year.

Board president Don Christian made no promises but said the board members could go back and look at the cuts they made.

Alicia Henrikson can be reached at

(785) 295-1192 or alicia.henrikson@cjonline.com.