CARTHAGE — Despite the threat of a further loss of money because of sequestration, the Carthage Central School District is not planning to cut any more sports next year.

At the Board of Education meeting Monday, the athletics, fine arts, instructional and central administration portions of the $55 million budget proposal were presented to nearly 100 students, parents and coaches.

“Even if we can’t hold the line, I understand there’s a limit, and I understand there’s not much you can do with the teachers union, but we have to look at everything we can,” said Charlene A. DeRonda, a parent of three students.

She and many others attended the meeting to hear whether more money was going to be cut from the athletics budget. In May 2011, the athletics department was asked to shave $70,000 from its budget, which sliced cheerleading and cross country, among others.

Next year’s recommended budget is $324,956, which Stephen Nolan, director of athletics and physical education, called as tight as he could get it.

The current year’s revised budget ended up at $294,632.

Board President Barbara A. Lofink said cross country and cheerleading have grown considerably in the past few years.

Mr. Nolan was asked to bring in another budget at the March 25 board meeting to show what the costs would be to reinstate teams.

Another department that has seen decreases in the past is fine arts. Fine Arts Director Richard P. Weber presented his $65,350 recommendation, which is a $10,355 increase, — nearly 19 percent — from last year’s $54,995.

Mr. Weber said art supplies, getting a $290 reduction this year, cost $6.79 per pupil.

“You can’t even buy a pair of Fiskars scissors for $6.79,” he said.

Both the instructional and central administration budgets are also poised to increase. Business Manager Amy M. Marrocco proposed a $17,552,616 instructional budget, a $291,601, or 13.9 percent, hike from this year’s $17,261,014. Central administration was proposed at $2,192,600, a $63,750, or 3 percent, jump from this year’s $2,128,850.

She stressed there is still work to do on the budget before the board passes it because of pending sequestration cuts and state aid.

“Ten days from now, this may look a little different,” she said.

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