Feb 26, 2007 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A local service organization again will operate the concession stand at Falcon Stadium during sporting events, but two Connellsville Area School District board members favor the money-generating initiative be kept in-house. Board members agreed by a 7-2 vote this week to a three-year contract with the Connellsville Lions Club to oversee the food and drink stand. The arrangement calls for the club to keep 60 percent of the total profit from the sales and turn over the remaining 40 percent to the district.

In 2006, the $11,749 net profit resulted in the district receiving $4,696, according to the year-end report submitted by the organization.

Beginning in August and continuing through October, Lions Club members man the concession stand for senior and junior high football games, along with boys and girls soccer events.

Since 1996, the Lions have netted $98,441 in profits, with the school district receiving $58,926. The organization has overseen the concession stand operation for more than 40 years.

Board member Tom Dolde, however, said that the operation and subsequent proceeds should instead be turned over to parental organizations to defray the costs incurred with sporting events and other activities.

“There’s been (budgetary) cuts in extracurricular activities,” said Dolde. “The band transportation (budget) was cut by $10,000 and the choral director told us that their budget was cut by $3,000.

“The football team and other athletes now have to buy their own shoes,” Dolde added.

Dolde went on to state that parents are being burdened with paying taxes and conducting fund-raisers to defray costs tied to their children participating in sports programs.

“I don’t understand why the parents can’t use the (concession stand) as a way to raise funds,” he said.

Board member Ed Zadylak said that only the Lions Club submitted a proposal to the district.

“The band parents’ association said that it would have been too much for them to handle,” he said. “We did not receive any inquiries from the parents of the football or wrestling team or any other team. I would have been willing to consider any of the parent organizations; it was open to everyone.”

Jeffrey Harvey, board vice president, said that the Lions Club uses its portion of the proceeds to benefit a variety of local causes. “(The Lions Club) gives it all back to the community,” he said.

From 1996-2006, said Lions Club member George Puskar, the stadium project allowed for donations to be made to numerous local organizations, including the Carnegie Free Library, Yough River Trail Council, Wesley Health Clinic, Connellsville Historical Society, Connellsville Community Center, Connellsville Community Ministries, Highlands Hospital, New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. and various Scouting and youth programs.

Puskar said that the Lions Club dispersed more than $8,200 in February to various national Lions Club projects in addition to local organizations.

“Any money raised by the Connellsville Lions is put back into worthy projects,” he said.

In addition to Harvey and Zadylak, board members Karen Blocker, Loretta Lint, Richard Galand, Kevin Lape and Francis Mongell approved the measure, with Dolde and board member Chip Nicholson casting no votes.