District outlines fee schedule changes after state law shift; athletics and emerging esports highlighted

District administrators presented a draft fee policy and proposed fee schedule in response to last year’s legislative changes that curb some traditional school fees and provide temporary state replacement funding.

Jared Black, the district business administrator, told the board the law prevents charging general registration fees next school year; he said those general fees in the district’s secondary schools currently "generate just under $700,000 a year." He added the state included a one-time statewide appropriation "about $35,000,000" to offset the lost revenue, but that funding phases down (50% next year, then 30% and 20% in subsequent years) and the district will need to plan for replacement funding when the state allocation declines.

Black said the district crossed out general fees from the proposed schedule and updated procedures and legal references; he recommended removing an obsolete textbook-fee legal citation ("53 gs dash 7 dash 6") because it is no longer in state code. He warned that pending legislation could further change which curricular or extracurricular fees are allowable and that the district may need to revise the fee schedule again after the legislative session concludes.

Athletic and extracurricular fees were a focus. Dave Swenson and athletic staff said rising transportation, official and uniform costs prompted modest increases in some activity participation fees. Team proposals included increasing transportation components and specific sport maximums in response to higher officials’ pay, travel distances under a new region alignment and higher uniform and tournament costs. The athletics directors recommended a $10 increase in a transportation line (raising totals in some participation fees by that amount) and targeted increases (for example, $100 for some cheer/drill fees to cover tournament and choreography costs). The board discussed uniform costs, ways to reduce "fluff" and district purchasing avenues (state bid lists) to lower per-team expenses.

Administrators also briefed the board on esports as an emerging activity; district staff said the Utah Interscholastic activities group has selected a platform but is still finalizing games and policies; districts with club esports have charged between $250 and $500 for participation in club models, and the district will return with a recommended approach once statewide guidance is final.

Board members asked about fee waivers and tracking. Black said fee waivers are reported in the district audit and that extracurricular waivers are less common than curricular waivers; the district currently provides partial reimbursement for school waivers in high-cost activities (historical district practice cited but exact share to be confirmed). He said district staff will provide detailed waiver reports and emphasized that principals work to avoid excluding students who cannot pay. Board members also raised concerns about community fundraising fatigue and urged exploring bulk purchasing and other cost-savings to reduce burdens on families.

Administrators will bring a finalized fee policy and schedule back for the board’s March meeting to meet the statutory requirement for an April 1 adoption timeline or adjust if the legislature changes fee rules.