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 the presentation listed were coaches’ salaries (1,095 coaching positions: 706 high‑school, 389 middle‑school), athletic training and sports medicine (36 trainers contracted after CHKD requested additional coverage), police security for events (an off‑duty scheduling program raised per‑officer costs from $50/hr to $66.60/hr with an associated administrative fee), officials’ pay (an increase of about $74,000 since 2022–23), and equipment/capital outlay.

Staff proposed two fee models and ticket changes to offset costs: Option A, a universal secondary fee of $50 per student (based on ~33,500 secondary students) projected to raise just over $1,000,000 after accounting for reduced/free lunch waivers; Option B, a participation fee only for students who compete ($75 per high‑school activity, $50 per middle‑school activity), estimated to raise roughly $700,000 combined. Staff also estimated modest ticket increases and pass adjustments could add about $369,000 (district‑absorbed GoFan fee of $1 per ticket would remain covered by the division). Combining ticket changes with Option A was presented as producing roughly $1.4 million in revenue; combining tickets with Option B was projected to be slightly over $1.0 million.

Staff warned that esports, added to VHSL at the high‑school level for 2025–26, will carry recurring network and equipment costs (estimated $50,000–$65,000 annually) plus one‑time equipment needs (presenter estimate about $16,000 depending on school inventory). Turnbull said a 10% increase in coaches’ pay plus a postseason pay rate would cost roughly $300,000 annually (about $249,000 for a 10% increase and $50,000 for postseason pay).

During discussion board members raised concerns about equity and access, particularly for middle‑school students who “try things out” and might be deterred by fees; they asked for more input from secondary principals, student‑activity coordinators and families. A staff speaker cited school‑board policy 5‑69, which permits student fees for voluntary extracurricular activities if approved by the board, and said any fee program would include provisions for financial assistance for families who qualify. Several board members signaled interest in raising coaches’ pay and asked staff to return with more detail; the board did not vote on fees at the meeting.

Speakers and slides cited comparisons to surrounding divisions (Hampton, Williamsburg, James City County, Poquoson) that currently use fees, and staff offered to provide additional reports and supplemental data to the board before a final decision during the budget process.