Commentary; Posted: 12/4/02

Costly activity fees hurt kids who need programs

Don Heinzman

As school districts continue to boost fees to play ball, they may be hurting the students who most need team activities.

One of the surprises of the recent five-question levy referendum of the Anoka-Hennepin School District was the defeat of the property tax levy that would have cut these extra curricular student fees in half. The vote was 48,649 No and 40,953 Yes.

Voters apparently are saying families should pay the fees if they want their kids to play athletics, play in the band or participate in speech activities. One optimist from that district says even though the issue was defeated, nearly 41,000 voters agreed fees should be reduced.

Providing these opportunities for students is a given where families can afford up to $800 a year in fees, such as in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. Families whose income is on the fringe, however, cannot afford the fees for those kids who may need team competition the most.

In the Anoka-Hennepin school district, it costs $290 to play football and $332 to play basketball. The cost of debate for one student is $230.

To avoid criticism of only the rich can pay and play, the district waives the entire fee if the student gets free lunches and half the fee if they pay the reduced lunch price. In addition, no individual has to pay more than $600 a year and no family has to pay more than $800 per year for fees.

The problem is some parents wonít admit they canít afford the fees, and their kids just donít participate. Coaches can cite example after example of how playing sports kept students in school and out of jail.

Research shows that students involved in extracurricular activities have better attendance, better grades, do better in college and are more successful in their communities.

One study shows participation in extra curricular activities is a significant predictor of a studentís success in later life.

The vote in Anoka-Hennepin alarmingly raises the issue of participation in extra curricular activities becoming elitist, open only to those who can afford the fees. School boards, stretched to make ends meet in the district, are deciding that extracurricular activities are ìoutsideî the basic education.

They are convinced that itís better to hire more teachers and keep class sizes smaller, than to allow all students to participate in activities. School boards apparently are coming to believe the users of the sports, band and debate programs should pay the cost of keeping those programs.

This was the message of the Anoka vote because the basic five year levy for $21 million and a second levy for $4 million to hire back 100 teachers passed. Levies to reduce activity fees, reduce the distance kids had to walk and for technology all failed.

Across the state more school districts are increasing the fees and the ticket prices to afford athletics and other activities. Last year fees were increased dramatically in some school districts, and the data isnít in on how that affected participation.

Some school activities directors are fearing the day when the very activities proven to insure future success in life will be available only to the well-off families. Isnít preparing all students to be successful what the public school system is all about?

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