Nearly every school has them, pay to participate fees for their sports. Prices range from district to district but for those students that can’t afford to pay, schools usually can help them out.
“Athletics in no way, shape or form could ever support itself,” says Montabella Community Schools superintendent Shelly Millis.
Equipment. Referees. Travel. High school sports are expensive and ticket sales don’t cover the costs. So many schools ask their players to chip in.
“When we instituted that one of the big things we were very, very careful of is, we did not want to discourage any kid from having the opportunity to participate,” says Millis.
Some families can’t afford the added cost, even though their child wants to play. That’s where schools offer to waive the fee.
Millis introduced the idea of community service to make up for the cost of playing.
“Instead of an automatic waiver to allow them to participate no matter what, there was some sort of give back,” says Millis.
This is just an idea right now. No plans have been set and no discussions have been scheduled but if they do go forward with this plan one of the things they wanted to do a focus on in to make sure it is to not exposing the identity of some of the students that are having financial hardships.”
“There are also other volunteers there working at the same time,” says Millis, “It wouldn’t set them apart, as that must be why they are helping out.”
Ticket sales. Concession work. Set up and clean up around games, simple help around the school. Mot all were on board, trustees and a few coaches thought this would drive kids away from sports.
“There was some concerns about whether that would deter kids or families from participating in athletics,” says Millis, “Which is certainly a big concern. We did not want to discourage anybody from that.”
Millis says she’s unsure if it will advance, especially if it compromises participation.
“That’s not something we’d be interested in,” says Millis.
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