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Board approves $15 across-the-board activity-fee increase to shore up athletics budget
Summary
The Watertown-Mayer school board approved a $15 across‑the‑board increase in activity fees for 2026–27, raised the family cap by $50 to $900 and kept adult/student admission prices unchanged while adding card readers and passing processing fees to users. The motion passed by voice vote.
The Watertown‑Mayer Public School District board voted May 18 to raise the district’s activity fees by $15 across the board for the 2026–27 school year as part of a push to bring activity revenues closer to a sustainable share of expenses.
Paul Samansky, who presented historical activity revenue and expense charts, said revenues covered about 29% of activity expenses in the most recent year and the district’s target is to be in the low‑30s. “What we’re proposing is a $15 across‑the‑board activity fee increase,” Samansky said, explaining that a full cost‑recovery approach would yield prohibitively high fees and the district instead aims to incrementally improve the revenue/expense ratio.
Under the approved schedule, a typical middle‑school sport fee would rise from $100 to $115 next year; the family cap was increased by $50 to $900. Adult admission will remain $7 and student admission $5. Season passes for adults rose to $100 and family passes to $275; seniors will continue to receive free admission except for playoff and select theater events. Samansky noted that boys hockey fees are set by West Tonka and will be $375 next year.
The district will add card readers at events for convenience; the presentation stated the district will pass card‑processing costs on to the purchaser and referenced the processing charge as the “90 fee” during discussion. Board members requested clarification about the exact processing amount and the administration said it would provide that detail to the finance committee. The proposal’s estimated effect on the revenue/expense ratio was described as raising the projected coverage to roughly the low 31 percent range, recognizing that expenses such as officials’ fees and coaches’ compensation are also rising.
Board members discussed participation trends and confirmed that participation numbers have remained relatively steady, though declining enrollment could affect future activity totals. Trustees also noted some expenses are outside district control, such as referee rates set by officiating associations.
Miss Nathan moved to approve the athletic and activity fee schedule; Miss Schultz seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.
The district’s administration will supply the finance committee with final budget projections and a clarified processing fee amount before public-facing materials are posted for registration.
