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Activity Fees

Activity Fees. An overview to inform the community. Extracurricular Programming: I ncludes interscholastic sports, art, music, and clubs P romotes the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and moral well being of the participants Important and integral part of the total school program

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Activity Fees

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  1. Activity Fees An overview to inform the community

  2. Extracurricular Programming: • Includes interscholastic sports, art, music, and clubs • Promotes the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and moral well being of the participants • Important and integral part of the total school program • Open to all students • Students assume the academic and behavioral responsibilities and obligations of the club or activity • Key connection for school success • College admissions expectation Definitions

  3. Funded Activities • Activities that are facilitated by paid coaches or advisors. • Non-Funded Clubs • District approved student activities that are facilitated or advised by an unpaid staff member Definitions

  4. High School Athletics—791 Individual Participants • Middle School Athletics—676 Individual Participants Athletic Participation

  5. Supplemental Contracts: • Compensation paid to teachers or community members to coach or advise students involved in funded extracurricular activities. • Contracts awarded by season or year long. • Contracts could be split between multiple staff members. • Multiple contracts could be held by one staff member. • In 2012-13 School Year, our approximate expense for extracurricular activities that included salary/benefits, supplies, transportation, equipment, and dues was $2,090,354.  Definitions

  6. Activity Fees/Pay-to-Play/Participation Fees • Growing trend in Pennsylvania and nationally • Requires students and their families to pay fees to participate in extracurricular activities Definitions

  7. Nation • As of 2009, 33 states had districts that utilized activity fees • State • In Pennsylvania, in 2010 13% of school districts surveyed reported charging fees. • As of 2012, that percentage has risen to 30% • Local • As of this school year, some of the local districts that charge fees include: Downingtown, Great Valley, Marple Newtown, Tredyffrin/Easttown, Unionville, and West Chester • Marple Newtown is the only Delaware County district to charge fees How prevalent are activity fees?

  8. Nothing but typical: • Ranges from $10 to $250 for individual students • State average: $65 per activity • Some districts have one-time fees, fee caps, different fees for different activities, only charge for sports, etc. • Fee structures are a reflection of the community What is the typical fee

  9. Illegal in some states as extracurricular activities are seen as vital and guaranteed part of students’ education. • Could decrease student participation • Could discriminate against lower socio-economic families • Large families will carry a heavy financial burden • Parents are already paying fees through booster clubs and fund raising • Activity fees could cannibalize booster club funding • Slippery slope—paying for activities could eventually lead to other fees. • Could lead to the demise of smaller programs, sports, and clubs • Could add pressure on coaches, directors, and advisors—I paid, so my kid plays! • Yet another tax • Collection and compliance is an administrative nightmare. • Revenue does not outweigh the cost of time and effort to administer the fee. Against Fees!

  10. Most states, including Pennsylvania, from a legal standpoint do not regard extracurricular activities as part of the guaranteed basic education. • Fees allow districts to maintain existing programming by generating added revenue. • Fees support the philosophy that extracurricular activities are “extra”. • It is commonplace for parents to pay for their children’s activities. • Most districts have waivers and financial assistance for low socio-economic families or financial hardships. • Family “fee caps” could be established to limit the burden on large families. • Districts may utilize cafeteria pre-payment software for collecting fees to lessen the administrative burden. • Booster clubs often provide above and beyond programmatic costs, so their fees could be reduced. For Fees!

  11. Must be a community decision • Perspective is key, so: • Survey community (email, website, Twitter) • GVSD Activity Fee Survey • Analyze data • Publically present the data • Board takes action • Yes—Budget Task Force on Activity Fees • No—The process ends What about Garnet Valley?

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