Dunlap CUSD 323 board reviews proposal to change extracurricular activity fee to $100 plus per-activity charges

Dr. Grama, the district superintendent, told the board that the district is considering changing the extracurricular activity fee and outlined a proposed structure that would raise the base fee and add per-activity charges.

"This is just a something that Mister Waggenbaum has brought up the discussion. This is not your instructional classroom fees that were approved at the last meeting. This is the strictly the activity fee, which currently stands at $90, and is unlimited as far as whether you do 1 activity or buy. It's $90 and that covers you," Dr. Grama said. He said staff has talked with several administrators and is drafting a proposal to present at the next meeting.

Dr. Grama described the proposal under consideration: raise the flat fee from $90 to $100, and charge $50 for each additional activity up to a maximum of three additional activities, producing a $200 family maximum out-of-pocket.

"I've talked with Mrs. Kaslett, Mister Holmes, and, what we're looking into is possibly changing it because it hasn't changed in 6 years, from $90 to a $100. And then for each additional activity, $50 to a maximum of 3. So the max out of pocket would be $200," Dr. Grama said.

A board member pressed for data before any vote, asking how many students participate in multiple activities and how the change would affect families. "I would just like the -- and I think that's what you're talking about getting, Dr. Grama. But I would like to get a sense of how many -- I mean, what is the lift that we're looking at here in terms of dollars ... how many kids are participating in more than 1, more than 2, more than 3?" the board member asked.

Dr. Grama said staff will provide participation counts and additional spreadsheets and will gather information on what comparable districts charge. He said the board will receive a fuller proposal, with the data requested, before taking a vote next month.

The discussion focused on clarifying that this proposal would apply to co-curricular/extracurricular activities (not instructional classroom fees approved earlier) and on ensuring board members have participation and fiscal-impact data before making a decision. No motion or formal vote on the fee change was taken at the meeting; the item remained informational.

The board will consider the formal proposal, supporting spreadsheets and comparative district information at a future meeting, at which time members expect to vote.