Virginia Beach staff propose ticket and participation fees as student activities costs rise

School division staff told the School Board on Feb. 18 that the rising cost of Virginia High School League (VHSL) and middle‑school activities is increasing pressure on the operating budget and asked the board for direction on revenue options to sustain programs.

"The annual increase in cost to offer the number of VHSL sponsored athletic and activities programs in our school division is requiring a larger and larger allocation from the operating budget," Leanne Turnbull, director of the Office of Student Leadership, told the board, adding that the division seeks to grow revenue to about $1,000,000 annually to cover rising expenses.

Turnbull and staff said the student‑activities operational budget for 2024–25 is projected at about $6.1 million and that participation and program costs have increased roughly $1.1 million over six years. Key cost drivers…