pay-to-play school fees
By Laura Borchers
Monday May 9, 2016 7:24 PM
UPDATED: Monday May 9, 2016 9:45 PM
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NEW ALBANY, Ohio - In the wake of a levy failure in 2014, school administrators in New Albany made the move to charge $625 per sport or activity. It was the highest in the state and today some parents say it has become a low for the district.
"I have an 8th grader who plays tennis in the fall and would like to run track,? Mike Klein said. ?But with the fees, we may not do the second sport.?
Klein pays for his two daughters to participate in after school activities, but after two years of shelling out $625 per activity in high school and $425 per middle school sport, he is taking action. Monday he gathered parents at Eagle stadium to march together into the school board meeting and ask for a lower fee.
"It's not what?s best for kids- all kids,? Klein said. ?At the end of the day, that's what we're trying to do. Level the field for all of our kids."
The New Albany School Board has indicated the costly fee is not one they hope to keep for the long-term.
?From the very beginning we have hoped this would be a short-term problem that would be fixed by additional revenues," New Albany school borad president Laura Kohler said.
Kohler said she's heard from parents, and she expects some good news coming from school leaders. They are reviewing their five-year budget, and she indicated there has been additional funds coming into the school system. The community has seen several residential developments and new property tax dollars into the school district?s coffers.
Kohler adds the board is discussing how to best use the funds in their budget. She indicated the pay to play fees would not go away, but they could shrink.
"It could be anything from $0 to $200 in terms of a reduction,? Kohler said. ?I think it is safe to say that whatever plan we come up with will be a multi-pronged approach.?
The school district?s booster organization may be asked to help families cover a portion of their fees.
By Laura Borchers
Monday May 9, 2016 7:24 PM
UPDATED: Monday May 9, 2016 9:45 PM
2943
4
2948
NEW ALBANY, Ohio - In the wake of a levy failure in 2014, school administrators in New Albany made the move to charge $625 per sport or activity. It was the highest in the state and today some parents say it has become a low for the district.
"I have an 8th grader who plays tennis in the fall and would like to run track,? Mike Klein said. ?But with the fees, we may not do the second sport.?
Klein pays for his two daughters to participate in after school activities, but after two years of shelling out $625 per activity in high school and $425 per middle school sport, he is taking action. Monday he gathered parents at Eagle stadium to march together into the school board meeting and ask for a lower fee.
"It's not what?s best for kids- all kids,? Klein said. ?At the end of the day, that's what we're trying to do. Level the field for all of our kids."
The New Albany School Board has indicated the costly fee is not one they hope to keep for the long-term.
?From the very beginning we have hoped this would be a short-term problem that would be fixed by additional revenues," New Albany school borad president Laura Kohler said.
Kohler said she's heard from parents, and she expects some good news coming from school leaders. They are reviewing their five-year budget, and she indicated there has been additional funds coming into the school system. The community has seen several residential developments and new property tax dollars into the school district?s coffers.
Kohler adds the board is discussing how to best use the funds in their budget. She indicated the pay to play fees would not go away, but they could shrink.
"It could be anything from $0 to $200 in terms of a reduction,? Kohler said. ?I think it is safe to say that whatever plan we come up with will be a multi-pronged approach.?
The school district?s booster organization may be asked to help families cover a portion of their fees.