The student body account, which supports sports teams, the yearbook, and other organizations, is in debt $25-40,000, according to Principal Elois McGehee.

The account has been accumulating debt ever since soda and other forms of junk food were banned from the student store and vending machines. The account never made a profit from funding the sports teams, but the sales from soda made up for the difference. Since soda has been banned, there is nothing to make up for the loss in revenue.

The yearbook, which is also funded by the student body account, did not make a profit last year. Normally, that is offset with soda sales as well, but last year it added to the debt.

In response to the debt, funding for sports teams has been cut dramatically. The referees and paramedics will continue to be paid for by the student body account. Equipment and uniforms will have to be paid for by the teams. Each team must fundraise individually through selling food during games or holding other activities.

Leadership has been put in charge of fundraising to make up for the debt. This includes seeking donations from corporations but mainly planning fundraising activities. There are big hopes riding on the homecoming dance, which always creates a profit. Money will also be generated by pizza sales.

Leadership is looking to host activities this year such as last year’s Tip a Wildcat, where Uni students waited on other students at Norms Restaurants, and the tips went to Uni.

Leadership is also staging a Wildcat Activity Card (WAC) drive. WACs give students discounts on sports games, dances and other school functions, and the proceeds go towards the student body account. If one thousand students bought a WAC, leadership would get a $12,000 profit.

The Senior Prom will not be affected by the debt. A hotel has already been reserved. Nor will classrooms be affected by the debt. Teachers receive school supplies from other accounts.

The money the school receives from filming is distributed 30/70 to the district and to an account controlled by teachers, according to McGehee. Any recognized organization such as sports teams can request funds from the account.

McGehee estimates it will take two years to be debt free. “I’m optimistic,” said leadership advisor Steve Ackerman, “Our kids are resilient.”