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Athletics director Katie proposes new fees, board approves participation fee and department reorganization
Summary
Tri Creek’s athletics director presented a new athletics guide, recommended raising high-school participation fees to a $200 annual charge plus $50 per-season transportation, and proposed a staffing restructure; the board approved the fee change, athletics personnel and the reorganization.
Katie, the district athletic director, told the board she had three recommendations: adopt a single athletics guide, change the participation-fee structure and reorganize the athletics department to staff the new natatorium and support expanded programming.
Katie said the guide consolidates previous middle- and high-school handbooks into a single document that clarifies district expectations and introduces corrective measures aimed at reducing strictly punitive discipline for younger athletes. "We want to recognize that student athletes are at different stages in their personal growth," she said, describing a framework that offers coaching and a clean slate in some middle-school cases.
On fees, Katie recommended a $200 annual high-school participation fee plus a $50 seasonal transportation charge (the district would maintain existing $50-per-season transport fees), putting the maximum annual cost for a three-sport high-school athlete near $350. Middle-school athletes would pay $50 per sport with no annual fee. Katie said the new structure is intended to meet a minimum annual revenue target of $80,000 to cover a contract with ATI for athletic training services and other rising costs. "No student will be denied participation because of the financial need," she said, noting partnerships and sponsorships to help families.
Board members pressed on affordability and timing. One member said the increase feels large and asked whether the district could rely on facility revenues or a referendum; Katie replied she plans continued evaluation and expects facility usage and advertising to change long-term funding needs. She also said payment plans and in-house assistance requests would be managed through the athletics office so families in need can participate.
Katie presented a staffing redesign after a resignation that reallocates an $87,000 salary into multiple roles—including an event/facility specialist and stipends—preserving roughly $76,587 in capacity (after benefits) to staff the program and the natatorium without requesting new district funds.
At the action portion of the meeting the board moved the athletic-fee recommendation and related personnel items. The motion passed on a voice vote.
The board’s approval makes the new fee structure and the departmental reorganization effective as the district finalizes implementation details; the athletics office will publish guidance on financial assistance and payment plans before the fall season.
