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District athletic director proposes pay-to-participate fees; board discusses equity and refunds if levy passes
Summary
Coach Mike Cruz presented a temporary pay-to-participate proposal to offset budget shortfalls: $150 for one activity, $250 for two, $300 maximum for three or more. The board discussed payment logistics, equity concerns and a plan to refund fees if a November levy succeeds; staff will draft policy for legal review.
Garfield Heights City School District’s athletic director presented a pay-to-participate proposal Monday that would charge students per activity to help address current budget shortfalls, pending board approval and legal review.
Coach Mike Cruz, the district’s athletic director, told the board he is “very much opposed to pay to participate” but presented the proposal as a financial necessity. The plan would charge $150 for participation in one activity, $250 for two activities (a $50 savings), and a maximum of $300 per student for three or more activities in a school year. Fees would be assessed per student, not per family.
Why it matters: Board members raised concerns about affordability, potential declines in participation and program viability. Staff said checks or electronic payments could be collected this fall but that funds would be…
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