District Says River Cats Partnership Will Save Sports

Athletes at will be able to hit the field next year after all.

The Sacramento City Unified School District announced in a press release Tuesday that it had reached an agreement with the Sacramento River Cats and other organizations to fundraise enough money to save sports from being .

"With this partnership, the District will be able to ensure that these programs will be intact for the 2011-12 school year,” Superintendent Jonathan Raymond was quoted as saying.

The district couldn't answer questions about specific details, like how much money the River Cats would donate or what other groups would be involved.

"We will have more specifics regarding the partnership in the coming weeks, but wanted to announce it now (even as some details still need to be finalized) because it’s important to get the word out to parents as families make their choice about where to send their kids next year," spokesman Gabe Ross said in an email.

Band, yearbook and other extra-curriculars will also be saved by this partnership, the press release stated.

This program is intended to stave off cuts under the district's "worst-case scenario" budget. If tax extensions pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown and others are extended, the money from the River Cats partnership "would be used to supplement and enhance district sports programs," the district said.

The district's board of education will discuss the program at its 6:30 p.m. board meeting on Thursday.