So what happens when a funding referendum fails and a high school decides they must cut 17 of 29 varsity sports. (No, they don't blame Title IX, smarty pants!) A non-profit is created:

"We have a strong and wonderful tradition of athletics and activities here," said assistant superintendent Steve Razidlo, who will replace retiring superintendent Jerry Walseth this summer. "It was from that tradition that new patterns of thinking emerged that said, 'We value this so highly, and we can't afford to let it go.' "

The nonprofit group, Warrior Way Inc., has raised more than $330,000. The new funding plan uses investment proceeds from that money, along with drastically higher activity fees, to reduce the amount of public funding for sports and activities from 78 percent to 22 percent.