School committee weighs modest increases to athletics and music fees as transportation costs climb

Administrators presented a multi‑hour debate on raising extracurricular user fees May 7, saying the measure is intended to help close an ongoing revenue gap, mainly from athletics transportation costs.

Finance and activities staff told the committee the district collected $68,675 in athletic user fees this year while estimated transportation costs for athletics are about $121,719 (including projections for the remainder of the year). Kathy and Elizabeth, who led the fee review, proposed raising most high‑school sports fees by $25 (for example, from $200 to $225 for many sports and from $325 to $350 for football) while keeping middle‑school fees lower to encourage participation.

“We're trying to look at how we can help offset transportation while making it fair for families and for the kids,” said one administrator laying out the rationale for the increases. Committee members pressed for equity safeguards — several members argued a combined family cap should protect multi‑sport families, while others worried a raised cap would unfairly burden single‑child families who participate in multiple activities.

The proposal included splitting the current family cap so athletics and music were separate, and one staff scenario suggested athletics cap increases to $900; several committee members said that amount felt too high. Administrators said current data show only a minority of families hit the cap (roughly 14% previously), and asked for scenario runs before a decision.

Music program fees were also reviewed. Administrators proposed increasing marching‑band fees to narrow the gap between marching band and high‑cost athletic travel, and suggested more modest increases or fee removals for some middle‑school ensembles that do not travel frequently. The marching band was proposed to move from $140 toward a $160–$165 range in staff proposals; winter percussion and similar groups were discussed around $150.

No final vote was taken. The committee asked staff to return with two revenue scenarios — a ‘low’ and a ‘high’ family‑cap option — and updated revenue projections showing how a $25 athletics increase and the proposed music adjustments would affect overall revenue. Several members stressed they preferred modest increases and asked that administrators prioritize keeping fees low for middle school to cultivate participation.

What’s next

Administration will run and present fiscal scenarios showing revenue impact of the proposed fee changes and two family‑cap options; the committee will consider those figures at a future meeting before voting.