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Sharon DEIC hears student complaints that $150 activity fee tier discourages participation
Summary
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Sharon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee discussed student concerns about tiered activity fees — including a tier‑1 $150 fee — and agreed Chair Jen Illuzzi will raise the issue with the committee’s School Committee liaison for follow-up.
The Sharon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee on Jan. 8 heard committee members report that a tiered activity fee structure is discouraging student participation and may be inequitable.
Kim Hokanson, a committee member, summarized concerns raised by students about the cost of extracurricular participation. Committee members Amoli Deshpande and June Hokanson briefed the group further, saying the district has different tiers of clubs and that the tier‑1 fee is $150, which students told the committee can deter involvement and feel unfair.
Members said students had presented the issue to the School Committee but feel their complaints "are not being heard," according to the members who relayed the students' remarks. Jen Illuzzi, chair of the DEIC, said she will bring the concern to Avi Shemtov, the committee’s School Committee liaison, for further follow-up.
The committee did not take a formal vote or make a formal recommendation at the Jan. 8 meeting; members instead discussed improving communication and next steps for elevating students’ concerns to district decision-makers. The committee also suggested improving dissemination of the Talon newsletter to better inform parents and the wider community about student activities and opportunities.
Next steps: DEIC chair Jen Illuzzi will contact the School Committee liaison to request additional follow-up; the committee may revisit the item at a future meeting.
