Parents Press Rockingham Board Over New $40 Athletic Fee; District Says Hardship Support Will Be Available

Several parents urged the Rockingham County Board of Education to reconsider a proposed $40-per-student athletic participation fee during the public comment period on Aug. 6.

Sean Bridal told the board that even a $40 fee can be a barrier for families with multiple children and described the cumulative costs of uniforms, shoes and game-day expenses. “To pay $40 for our kids to play sports, I don't feel like that's a fair shake,” Bridal said during public comments.

Another parent, Julie Kawal, said sports are an important outlet for her son and that barring him from play because of attendance issues and added costs “pretty much destroyed him.” Kawal and other speakers asked where fee revenue would be deposited and how the district would ensure low-income students are not excluded.

District staff and board members responded that athletic fees and gate/concession revenues are collected and controlled at the school level. Dr. Perkins, presenting later in the meeting, said schools will retain athletic fee revenue and that guidance has been provided on permissible uses (athletically related items to benefit students). He and other staff emphasized that hardship arrangements will be available: schools, boosters or team fundraisers can cover costs, staff can offer payment plans, and principals or athletic directors can approve hardship requests so students are not barred from participation.

Board members asked for more clarity and for the athletic director (Dr. Perkins identified an athletic director in the discussion) to provide details to concerned parents. The board also reiterated that the fee is a single one-time payment covering all sports for the year, and students who play multiple sports pay just once.

The meeting record shows the board heard public comment on the issue and directed staff to provide more information; no formal change to the fee was made at the meeting.