The Facilities and Athletics Committee for the Scotland County Board of Education is looking for new revenue sources including, a 50-50 raffle to help offset financial woes.

Athletic Director Tommy Britt told the committee Wednesday night that budget cuts has forced athletics to look to other possibilities for funding.

Committee members said the raffle was a better idea than Britt's alternative – dipping into the high school band's coffers.

The director saw two possibilities for funds from the band – either athletics could get a cut from concessions sold at sporting events or the band could start contributing to the maintenance of the sports facilities they use, such as the school gym and Pate Stadium.

Currently, the athletic department pays for all maintenance and repair to the facility.

Committee-members were concerned about dipping into band funds as the high school marching band is supported by the Band Boosters Club, a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization separate from the school.

"We haven't delved into their budget," Board Member Paul Rush said.

Rush said he could not support requesting money from the band when the board does not know how sustainable the band would be otherwise.

Other issues discusses were:

• An extension of the $3 million bond was approved for the Wagram Primary School expansion project. The board has until 2010 to find a buyer for the bond.

• The lights at Pate Stadium require about $25,000 in repairs and improvements, according to Roger Ammons, director of plant operations and maintenance for Scotland County Schools.

• The committee began looking at how to spend a possible second no-interest bond that may become available in 2010.

• Discussed creating a system-wide policy on disciplining student-athletes.