Student Fees for Parking and Athletics at the High School

by Lynn K. McMullin

One of the most controversial and painful decisions the school board has had to make is the implementation of parking and athletic participation fees at Canton High School. Across the state, these difficult economic times have seen one district after another resort to fees in order to maintain the quality of athletic programs; and in Canton, in order to expand rather than reduce our students’ athletic opportunities.

Athletic Fees

There is no argument that athletics are a vital part of the high school’s program. Sports provide over 55% of Canton’s students with the chance to develop their physical aptitude, as well as their personal and leadership skills. Competitive sports provide another realm of challenges, and the lessons that come with both winning and defeat build character. A myriad of benefits come from participating in athletics. No one argues that point!

Yet, the high school athletic program represents about $240,000 in the district budget, and that price tag rises every year. Canton pays $11,000 in dues and fees to the league, associations, and state for its 11 varsity and junior varsity men’s and women’s sports: soccer, field hockey, cross country, basketball, wrestling, indoor track, baseball, softball, tennis, golf, and track. Our officials and coaches are not overpaid; our transportation throughout the widespread NCCC League is not unreasonable; and our kids’ uniforms are neither new nor personalized.

Knowing all of this, the Board of Education adopted Policy #5139 and added athletic fees stating that all developmental, freshmen, JV, and Varsity athletes would be required to pay a fee for each season. For all sports, except football (which is self-funding), the fee is $100 per athlete per season with a $175 individual cap for the year and a $300 family cap. The participation fees do not guarantee playing time; and the policy provides additional regulations for fee collection, refunds, and so on.

As you can see, the fee schedule for athletics was carefully designed to be sensitive both to families with multiple athletes and to athletes who participate in multiple sports. In addition, students who receive free and reduced lunch are automatically waived from athletic fees; and a form for athletic fee relief is readily available on the CHS home page, under “Important News” in the right menu (“Pay to Participate Waiver/Reduction Fee Form”). Privacy is guaranteed.

The athletic fees for the 2009 – 2010 budget are intended to pay for the athletic trainer ($26,000) from whom all the teams receive a valuable service. Fees in excess will be used to offset transportation costs, another equally shared expense.

Parking Fees

Implemented in September 2006, the parking fees pre-date athletic fees by three years. Students who wish to drive to school pay $50 per semester or $100 per year. Upon completing an application and providing payment, a student receives a permit which must be visibly displayed in the same vehicle for which the permit is issued.

Despite the existence of a parking fee, parking at Canton High School remains a privilege. A parking permit can be suspended at any time for violating the parking lot rules, such as driving above 10 miles per hour or driving against the flow of traffic. On the rare occasions when a student needs to drive to school and does not have a parking permit, the student can park at Millennium Field and walk the sidewalks to school. Some students elect to do this routinely.

Parking fees bring about $6,000 a year into the district budget and are always used to enhance the middle and high school’s outdoor campus. An example is the lighted school sign at the end of the driveway, the newly-planted shrubs, the benches at the top of the field hockey field, several trash receptacles, and outdoor bleacher replacement. Recently, three picnic tables were purchased for student use. They are currently housed in the cafeteria, but will be moved outside in the spring.

The Board values input from the students and community about the use of the parking lot fees.

What happens to gate receipts?

Just in case you’re wondering, the money you pay for a family pass or a single ticket into a basketball game does help a little, too.  Gate receipts for winter sports bring in about $9,000 and are used to offset the $25,000 budget line for time keepers and officials. Football gate receipts from home games belong to the Canton Football Association, however, as that program is completely self-funded.