Bridgewater-Raynham reduces athletic fees after participation drop; committee votes 7–1 for $495 rate

The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee voted 7–1 on June 10 to reduce athletic participation fees from $600 to $495 per student per sport for the 2026–27 school year, aiming to reverse a sharp participation decline officials attributed to higher costs.

Miss King, who presented the budget subcommittee's recommendation, said the subcommittee reviewed revenue and participation data and proposed the decrease to make sports more affordable. "This is a 17.5% decrease in the fee," Miss King said, noting the subcommittee expects increased participation could offset some lost revenue.

The move follows data members discussed showing participation fell from 382 athletes to 275 this year. "Students have said that due to the increases in fees, it is no longer financially feasible for them to play multiple seasons," a committee member summarized during debate. Mr. Dupont pressed for more work on waiver access and sliding scales by sport, asking whether waivers and sport-specific costs had been considered.

Superintendent Powers said waiver processes exist and that coaches encouraged athletes who faced financial hardship to apply. "There are a number of students that can apply for waivers," he said, and the athletics office has handled waivers in prior years. Athletic director Mr. Okonnell confirmed district staff have examined sliding-scale models by sport and will continue to refine recommendations.

Committee members debated fairness and competitive balance. Several members said fundraising and unregulated team-specific asks had created uneven outcomes for students. A parent speaker during the meeting described pressure on families and students to fundraise for equipment and travel, and some members urged restoring a family cap on fees or eliminating fees entirely if broader funding were available.

The motion to amend athletic fees to $495 per student per sport (no family cap) was made by Miss King and seconded by Mr. Dupont and passed by voice vote recorded as 7 in favor and 1 opposed. The committee instructed the athletics office to update families promptly; Superintendent Powers said Mr. Okonnell would notify affected families and that tryout-related payments should not be collected until the fall once team rosters are confirmed.

The change is expected to lower projected athletic fee revenue by about $45,000 if participation stays the same; the district said it expects some regained participation. The committee said it will revisit fees next year and continue to study sport-specific costs, waiver processes and equity impacts.

The committee adjourned after completing the day's agenda.