Whitnall School District Looks at Sports, Activities Fees

Families with high school athletes participating in multiple sports or activities might not have to pay more than $600 per school year starting next fall.

The Whitnall School Board looked at changing its participation fees at its meeting Monday. Jill Stobber, Whitnall High School Athletics and Activities Director, suggested caps of $300 per student and $600 per family.

“We were looking at ways to save people money if they are involved in different things,” Stobber said.

During the 2009-10 school year, no fees were charged for participation in extra curricular activities. During the 2010-11 school year, $100 was charged for each sport, excluding football, which had a $150 fee. The school also had a pricing tier of $0/$30/$60 for clubs and activities, though marching band, winter guard and winter drum line participants were charged $150 each.

Stobber also suggested eliminating the club tier and charge $30 for all school-sponsored clubs and co-curricular activities. No other significant fee changes were requested.

Some board members questioned why the club tier would be eliminated.

 “I understand the idea of uniformity and to simplify the process, but at some point we have to ask the question: Which clubs or activities are the most expensive?” board president Bill Osterndorf said. “We have activities that are very expensive and we have some that are not. … I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be looking at a higher fee if there is a higher cost.”

The issue will be revisited at a future meeting.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the School Board approved a recommendation by Superintendent Lowell Holtz to apply for a charter school planning grant.

According to Holtz’s proposal, if the application is accepted, the district would be eligible to receive a grant of approximately $900,000 over a three-year period. The funds could be used for planning, staff development, consultants and technology, but not staffing.

According to Holtz, current legislation proposals include the removal of the enrollment cap on virtual schools, the development of a centralized state wide chartering board, and an expansion of open enrollment timelines.

The superintendent’s proposal said the district could develop a technology center, which would include virtual school options, dual credit through a partnership with a post secondary institution and credit recovery. The proposal also said the center would have flexible hours and community accessibility.

“(The charter school) is supposed to allow creativity in how you deliver things,” Holtz said. “You can individualize instruction, especially on the technology side.”

Should Whitnall’s application be accepted, the School Board would decide whether to accept the grant and begin the program at a future meeting.

The motion passed 3-2, with Suzette Larson and Stephanie Richter against and Osterndorf and Nancy Zaborowski abstaining.

“This is a great idea, full of potential,” Osterndorf said. “The only reason I’m struggling is because this has come up quickly and we have a lot of things coming on. … We have a tremendous number of things that are going to require our attention in coming weeks and months.”