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Board approves 2025–26 athletic admission increases after debate over student pricing and gate logistics
Summary
After extended discussion and a failed amendment to limit discounted student tickets to purchases during school hours, the board approved an athletics admission schedule for 2025–26 that raises several prices including middle-school and high-school gates; the board asked schools to coordinate consistent implementation across the district.
The Washington County Board of Education approved a package of athletic admission price changes for the 2025–26 school year after board members debated whether discounted student tickets should be available only when purchased during school hours.
The approved changes include raising middle-school adult tickets from $5 to $6, leaving student tickets at $2, adjusting the family pass to $12 (from $10), and increasing high-school general admission (regional football games) to $10. Board members discussed whether to allow middle- and high-school students into events for free with student ID; administrators said not all schools currently issue district-wide student IDs, and logistics for providing discounted or free admission would require a consistent process.
Why it matters: Athletic gate revenue funds equipment and local athletic program costs; changes to admission prices affect booster groups, concessions revenue and lower-income families’ access to events. Board members expressed support for student participation but recognized athletic departments rely on gate receipts for supplies such as helmet and equipment purchases.
Details: One proposed amendment would have limited the $2 student price to tickets purchased during school hours; the amendment failed on a tied vote and the board then voted on the original motion. Board members suggested alternative approaches, including issuing student IDs or using school-issued tickets distributed in advance to enable discounted admission without complicating gate operations. The board asked staff to coordinate uniform practices across schools to avoid differing in-gate policies between campuses.
Next steps: The board approved the 2025–26 admission schedule and directed staff to develop consistent operational procedures for student tickets and to work with athletic directors on communications and concession budgeting.
