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Yuma Union trustees hear proposal to raise student ID, ticket and athletic participation fees
Summary
District staff proposed raising student ID fees, general-admission ticket prices and per-sport participation fees for 2025–26 to reduce an athletics operating shortfall; presenters said the increase would not fully close the gap and schools and donors would still be expected to cover remaining costs.
YUMA — Yuma Union High School District staff on Wednesday outlined a proposal to raise student ID fees, general-admission ticket prices and athletic participation fees for the 2025–26 school year to narrow a shortfall in school athletic budgets.
District staff said the proposal would raise the student ID fee from $15 to $20 (with $14 earmarked for athletics and $6 for activities), increase general-admission tickets from $5 to $6 and raise the per-sport athletic participation fee from $45 to $55. Officials said the district will keep a military/senior discount and has not yet set the fee for ESA students because of pending state legislation.
District leaders described athletics funding as a mix of ID fees, participation fees, ticket sales, principal budgets, booster-club donations and outside scholarships. "We are working to be fiscally sustainable," said Miss Cordell, who reviewed expenses and revenue lines for the trustees. She said the proposed fee changes would bring the district closer to covering growing costs but would not fully eliminate the deficit.
The presenters said the athletics budget faces unavoidable increases: dues and official ("rep") pay set by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) and higher transportation costs for away contests. Cordell showed that rep pay has increased and AIA fees rose for the coming year, and she noted two-official crews for baseball and softball games, plus travel for officials, as substantial recurring expenses.
Board members asked about support for students who cannot pay fees. Presenters said each school maintains scholarship or assistance programs, boosters and community groups sometimes step in, and principals and coaches work with families. "We are not here to hinder any student from participating," Associate Superintendent Jankowski said, describing planned site-level assistance and scholarship options.
Staff provided line-item examples showing how proposed fee increases would change revenues for each high school based on current participation counts; Cordell said, using current enrollment and participation, the changes would yield "almost $3,000" additional revenue for some schools but would still leave gaps made up by principals, boosters and donations.
The board did not vote on the proposal at the meeting. Staff indicated they will return with final recommendations and asked trustees to consider the proposal as part of next year’s budget process.
The presentation included a request that the board weigh affordability and equity concerns against the need to maintain safe fields, up-to-date equipment and transportation for contests.
Ending — The board scheduled no immediate vote; trustees asked staff to continue work on mitigation plans so students from low-income households can continue to participate, and staff said they will provide updated revenue and assistance figures if the board moves forward with the fee changes.
