Survey shows wide variation in Waunakee booster-club fees; district notes financial-aid options

Nick Conrad presented a booster-club fee survey to the co-curricular committee, summarizing responses from the district’s high-school booster organizations and outlining how fees are used and the support available to families.

Conrad said fees vary widely because clubs serve teams of many different sizes and budgets. "You're looking at a few higher end programs where families could be looking at $700 if you have two kids in the program just for a booster club fee," he said. The survey found fees most commonly pay for away-game meals, coach buses or bus upgrades, uniforms and turf payments; many booster clubs also require some work in concessions, fundraising, or sponsor solicitation.

The district reported several clarifications and practices: athletic-department contributions cover 50% of uniform costs under a four-year rotation; some programs upgrade uniforms earlier, increasing costs for families; most booster clubs offer some financial assistance and increasingly refer families to the district’s student assistance fund. Conrad said the family guide (a short, plain-language companion to the code and booster handbook) will include information on student-assistance resources, ticketing and streaming.

Committee members asked whether the family guide would list student-assistance information; Conrad confirmed it would be included. The report did not propose any fee changes or require committee action. Conrad said the district will continue to monitor booster-club practices and consider how to improve clarity for families with multiple participants.