One of the most recent changes going into effect for the upcoming school year in the Daniel Boone School District are the activity and club fees being charged to students, or more aptly, to parents. The fees were created in an effort to off-set the costs that the extra-curricular programs create for the school district.
It was decided by the school board members that students will be charged $150 for participation on a district sports team or musical activity, including marching band, winter guard or winter percussion. If the student is involved in a second activity, the cost for that would be $75, and no cost if a student is involved in a third activity. In addition to the activity fee, there is also an extra-curricular club fee of $50 for any student who participates in one or more of the district’s clubs. For families with multiple students participating in the extra-curricular activities and clubs offered by the school, there is a $500 family cap per year.
After posing the question to parents of how they feel about these fees, I was given a variety of answers. Some parents don’t mind paying the fee. One parent stated that she already spends that amount or more on community sports, so it’s just a matter of paying a different person now. Another mother is just happy that there was some way to offer the students a way to continue to participate in these activities without having to cut the programs all-together.
On the other hand, some other parents were strongly opposed to the new fees. One mother felt it was outrageous that it will cost their family $150 for their three children to participate in clubs, and she wonders what the $50 club fee covers. Another mother hates the fees, pointing out that many families are struggling financially due to the bad economy and lack of work, and now the children are suffering because their family can’t pay the activity fees for things that are offered by the public school.
The biggest questions posed by parents, though, are “Where are my tax dollars going?” and “What will we have to pay for next?” For answers to those questions, you will have to ask your school board.
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