A proposed $1 million cut to the state Department of Education's athletics budget would not necessarily mean the elimination of junior varsity sports, education officials said.

The statements follow public outcry to speculation that junior varsity sports could be on the chopping block to meet athletic budget restrictions that are being considered by the state Board of Education.

"Everyone seems to be talking about JV sports, but there are other options being considered," said Daniel Hamada, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and student support. "Larger sports could cut back on the number of assistant coaches hired. ... There are many scenarios."

However, Keith Amemiya, executive director for the Hawai'i High School Athletics Association, said it would be impossible for a $1 million cut not to result in the elimination of entire sports, or even the JV program.

"It would likely involve the cutting of all of JV sports and even some varsity," Amemiya said. "If we have to cut a million from the $13 million budget — with the bulk going to coaches, athletics trainers — sports will have to be cut."

The cut to the athletics budget will be discussed by state BOE members at a meeting today in the context of some $9.2 million in budget restrictions mandated by Gov. Linda Lingle. The DOE is also recommending reducing budgets for various nonschool-hour programs, reducing funding for the A-Plus after-school program and eliminating vacant positions within the department.

The board is largely expected to approve the budget cuts, including the $1 million cut from the $4.2 million budget for coaches salaries, several board members predicted earlier this week.

The Department of Education's athletics program has a total budget of $13.3 million.

'NO SACRED COWS'

Following a July meeting of the BOE's budget and fiscal accountability committee, O'ahu Interscholastic Association executive director Dwight Toyama speculated that a $1 million reduction in the DOE's athletics budget could result in the elimination of junior varsity athletics.

He predicted that the cut could affect some 6,000 students and 730 coaching positions from JV sports such as football, volleyball and basketball. He also said various varsity programs such as judo and soft tennis could be cut.

Those remarks set off a public outcry, including letters to the editor and talk-radio discussions.

This week, Toyama said officials have not made any decision about where cuts would occur. He said the cutting of JV sports was only mentioned as one possible scenario.

"People went into a panic, thinking that it was a done deal," Toyama said.

Toyama said that if the cuts occur, discussions will have to happen between various athletics officials before any final decision is made.

"All I can say is, things are premature," he said.

Board of Education chairwoman Donna Ikeda said she's sympathetic to the concerns of athletics officials but she said during times of budget cuts, there can be "no sacred cows."

"We have to make the hard decision of where we are going to cut money from the DOE budget. Every program has their supporters ... but the fact remains that we need to cut the budget," Ikeda said.

Ikeda pointed out that the board is also considering a $667,000 cut to the A-Plus after-school program and the elimination of positions at the Challenger Center at Barbers Point Elementary School.

"Our whole purpose is educating students so they can graduate and be productive citizens," Ikeda said. "I am not saying that athletics doesn't play a part in that, but I am saying that we need to make the cut in a way where it has the least impact on the classroom."

HIGH-PROFILE INTEREST

Karen Knudsen, vice chairwoman of the BOE, said the board is not directing the department in how to make the cut specifically to JV sports.

"Once the board approves the cuts, the department will go in and determine where the cuts will come from. While a lot of people are focusing on the JV sports, it really is up to the athletics folks to make that decision," Knudsen said.

Knudsen said budget cuts are always painful for those involved and the board is attempting to be fair. She said sports is not the only program experiencing belt tightening.

"Unfortunately all of these cuts will have an impact on someone. Whether it is your activity, your sport, your program, it hurts," she said.

The proposed athletics-related cuts have piqued the interests of some public figures, including Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and University of Hawai'i football coach Greg McMackin.

Hannemann is expected to attend today's board meeting and testify, Amemiya said. McMackin is also expected to testify in front of the board, Amemiya said.