Races to Keep Student Extra-Curricular Activities in the Running : Fund raising: 2,300 run in the Anaheim Memorial Good Sport events. With the county’s financial woes, the proceeds are sorely needed for the arts and sporting events.

ANAHEIM —  About 2,300 high school students, parents and teachers ran for the money Sunday in the Anaheim Memorial Good Sport 5K and 10K races, trying to help salvage financially strapped extra-curricular activities.

The third annual event, held this year in the shadow of the county’s bankruptcy, drew its biggest crowd ever of student athletes, musicians and actors from 10 Anaheim and Orange high schools. The event was sponsored by Anaheim Memorial Hospital.

Pending a final assessment of the county’s investment losses--and the financial blow to schools--student programs are more ambitiously raising funds to pay for international competitions and team uniforms.

In the wake of a 25% across-the-board budget cut in the Anaheim Union School District, school officials said it’s impossible to evade the investment crisis.

The athletic department at Cypress High School, which is with the Anaheim district, is already feeling the financial pinch, assistant athletic director Kathie Maier said.

At this time of year, Maier said, the athletic department traditionally purchases all the equipment for the spring season, but so far nothing has been ordered for the eight sports teams preparing for a new season.

“Everyone is real tentative now,” Maier said. “We’ve had to stop all conferences and there won’t be any extra equipment.”

Last year, Cypress High School generated $15,000, almost half of which was raised by school’s athletic teams at the annual race. But with greater needs this year and uncertain district funds, they will have to do better, Maier said.

It probably won’t be known for another week how much money was raised by the Sunday event.

Most schools in Anaheim Union receive about 5% to 10% in district funds toward extra-curricular programs, forcing them to organize fund-raising efforts.

The drama club at Cypress High only received $500 from the district toward its $15,000 budget, said director Shelly Cory. Outside of major community fund-raisers, they survive on ticket sales, magazine drives and candy sales.

Although county support is minimal, student programs rely on high-maintenance facilities and services that are covered by the county general fund.

“Since the bankruptcy, the district can’t go out and repair anything unless it’s a safety hazard,” Cory said. “So if a light goes out in the theater, it doesn’t get fixed and we can’t perform at our best.”

The district also picks up the tab for services like transportation, game officials like referees and maintenance of sports facilities.

Magnolia High School athletic director Rick Penn said extracurricular activities are usually a low priority and constantly cursed with limited funds. The bankruptcy, he added, will only increase their financial struggles. “There was a pinch before the bankruptcy,” Penn said.

Jan Billings, director of instructional services at Anaheim Union School District, said that even before the bond crisis, “our district was already in a cutting mode. Everything is escalating in costs.”

But community support may help save student activities, Penn said. For instance, Anaheim Memorial Hospital provides physical trainers and scoliosis testing at Anaheim Union high schools. During games and practices, physicians volunteer to be on the field.

“It’s the incidentals that help us get through these tough times,” Penn said.

The number of participants at this year’s race was up at every school, almost doubling the number of runners.

After passing the finish line, Billings said despite dismal financial projections, the community and schools are pulling together to make ends meet:

“Everyone’s working to keep the programs that create a well-rounded education for the kids. It’s really refreshing to see English teachers, parents, special ed directors and coaches all running together for the kids.”