Now we have some new cuts, the harshest of which are in Region 8 — Delta, Carbon and North Sanpete. Those three schools agreed to two fewer boys and girls basketball games, four fewer baseball and softball games, four fewer golf meets, two fewer track meets and two fewer wrestling units, among others.

The only sports not listed are football and volleyball. The region also eliminated the sophomore games completely from their schedules. The sheet submitted to the UHSAA lists the class time saved, miles saved and money saved.

It may not seem like much to cut a few games from each sport, but as one coach told me, games are the reward for practicing every day. School officials just eliminated some of the reward.

And while I understand the desire to keep students in school more and the need to save money, I don't understand the methods being used. Are we so dedicated to the idea of "local control" that we don't care if kids in Sanpete County have fewer opportunities than teens going to school in St. George?

Why can't we find a way to equalize the athletic and activity experience just a little more? Schools that struggle with fee waivers can barely manage to buy uniforms and provide buses, while schools with huge, well-organized booster clubs want for nothing.

It is not fair. And while unfairness is an inherent fact of life, in this case, I think we could do more than we are. We need a more uniform funding system for extracurricular activities, and we need it before more students lose the opportunities many of us have come to take for granted.

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com