Dexter increases high school sports fees by $150, caps single family contributions at $700
Despite parent protests, families at Dexter Community Schools will pay up to $700 for their children to participate in sports, the Dexter Patch reported.
Dexter High School
Instead of paying $100 per sport at the high school with a cap of $300, next year’s students will pay $250 for their first sport, $150 for their second sport and $100 for their third sport. Middle school students will pay $150 for their first sport, $100 for their second sport and $75 for their third sport.
The board set the cap for a single family’s contribution at $700, Patch reported.
Dexter Community Schools now charges more than any other district in Washtenaw County for sports. Saline Area Schools also charges $250 at the high school, however, that fee is a one-time pay-to-participate fee for the year. Saline students can play as many sports as they would like for that price.
Dexter officials recently increased several fees, including lunch prices and facility rental fees. The pay-to-participate fee increase was to help reduce the impact of athletics on the general fund and to move to a more self-sustainable athletic department within five years. Athletics accounted for about $585,000 of the district’s $34 million operating budget last year, Superintendent Mary Marshall said earlier this month.
According to a University of Michigan National Poll on Children’s Health study released in May, the average pay-to-participate fee in the United States is $93 per sport. Twenty-one percent of survey respondents paid $150 or more.
Read the complete report of Monday’s Dexter school board meeting here on Patch.
Staff reporter Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
chalkboardjoe
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.
11- continued...Dexter education is unrated by those that rate districts and over-rated by those who run/control the district. No fuzzy math on those numbers!
chalkboardjoe
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 10:51 p.m.
1st-Lot of money to get IB program up; and will cost lots more money. District shifted expenses to support a few students at the expense of many students. Dexter could have joined the countywide program at a much reduced cost, but chose not too! 2-District hires coaches via an expensive, union mandated pay structure; then more costs because of retirmement contributions for teacher-coaches. 3-Schumacher was chair of the Policy committee through most of the 2000's and promised to draft policies to allow the district to have "sponsors" to bring in new money-lots of talk, zero new money! The only thing she did was to inflate her resume to be a "Dr." and increase her marketability for her "Education" based consulting firm. 4-There is a doable plan for parents to raise almost $800 for kids to go to DC for just a few days. Why couldn't they do the same for over 800 kids to play in as many sports throughout the whole year at no cost (Busch's)? Besides the obvious ridiculousness, action strongly contradicts the Wellness alliance. 5-Why does the district pay thousands of dollars to music teachers for a couple evening concerts that the kids practice for during the school day? At the expense of book learning, we spend how much money on band? 6-The district may spend almost $100,000 for band uniforms with no real money coming in from the boosters? 7-And why shouldn't kids in the other "after school" activities also have to pay to participate. 8-And when will the parents (very affluent ones) of the athletes quit making such a big deal out of their kid in a sport: resulting in expensive and over the top, non-game related expenses. It is out of control. 9-The new pool rates are~20/hr under market rates: 2 pools are expensive. District just paid over $350,000 to add a teeny locker room to the HS pool just for DCAC 2 years ago. 10-2011 budget- surplus of over $1.8 Million. This years surplus paid $30,000 buy-outs to teachers. 11-Dexter education
Laura Jones
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.
I agree with you up to but not including your statements about music. The Dexter music program is excellent and does not simply practice to play a "few evening concerts". The music program build math and language skills for student's, offers an excellent music education which has allowed hundreds of kids to get scholarships to Universities, wins competitive awards year after year and even produces kids that win audition only placements at the worlds best music schools. Music is a legitimate and worthwhile subject and a part of the core curriculum at Dexter. The staff has been excellent and of a very high caliber. The hours they put in over and above the normal day are phenomenal. The music program places Dexter in a higher category than many other schools and educated our kids to compete in the world at large. I would see the entire sports program gone before music.
amaizinblu
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
Just one more thing becoming "elitist" in our society. Only those with the means will be able to participate. Kind of like college....
7718
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
Saline middle school is $250, the high school is now $325.
Linda
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.
It's really funny that Dexter Schools has ALL this money to build lots for the buses, redo the football field with artifical turf, build a footbridge, make parking lots, etc, and has no money so the ids have to pay more. Sports bring money into the school system so why make those who play pay more? Doesn't make since to me.
Laura Jones
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
That's due to Michigan law on school funding, although I agree with the expenditure priorities you point out.
JRW
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:50 p.m.
Don't understand the caps. If you have lots of kids and they play lots of sports, they you need to pay for that, and not expect others to pick up the tab.
wolfman jack
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Books not balls.
mkm17
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
The high pay-to-play fee will mean that only the well-to-do can afford to play. I disagree strongly with this. Team sports are an important part of education, as important as academics, art class, and gym class. Being part of a true athletic team has great benefits for students. I can see a nominal fee to cover uniforms and coaches' stipends, but $150 is unreasonable.
Itchy
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
Then everyone should play, if it is an important part of education. If what you claim is true, why exclude anyone?
Rork Kuick
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
Read the Patch article. See Michael Wendorf in need of math help.
Daniel
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.
It's unfortunate, but those that would benefit most from participating will in all likelihood be limited. Students involved in extracurricular activities are more likely to stay out of trouble and get good grades. This is especially important in middle school. Schools should be finding ways to have students participate more, not less.
mkm17
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
I agree strongly with this comment!
Mike
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 11:34 a.m.
We should be charging for other extracuricular activities even if it is a small fee instead of singling out only athletes. Social and economic justice baby........
Itchy
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
Seems logistical to me if anyone can attend a class like English, math, French, then it is covered by basic services and our taxes that we pay. But if attendance is restricted like football, baseball, band, etc., then these should be pay to play. An option would be to negotiate reduced wages, benefits and pensions to cover for the revenue shortfall.
Laura Jones
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 9:55 p.m.
Band and music are classes, not extra curricular or sports in Dexter. Always has been and they are more on par with academics than sports.
Itchy
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
Sorry for the typo. Seems logical......... :)
GoNavy
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:40 a.m.
When hidden personnel benefits (as in, benefits outside of direct monetary compensation) eat up the lion's share of a school's budget, this is one potential result. It's not as if taxpayers aren't already paying to send their children to school. It's that the money they are paying is being disproportionately consumed by personnel in the form of long-term benefits. PS To the people who complain that it's not their kids playing sports - the parents of gifted students pay for the remedial and lower-level courses needed to string along the "less-than-ideal" students in this world.
goldenrule
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
I guess you must be a parent of a gifted student then to string along the bench warmers! Good team spirit there! I guess those kids must help along the ones that are failing school classes as well? Yes-as a taxpayer in Chelsea, it helps my kids at school---but not to buy new turf on the football field that is the same at UoM's field---what a waste! Same with school supplies-my taxpaper $$ can't cover those either! Happy school year over achiever!
justcurious
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:55 a.m.
http://www.teachersalaryinfo.com/michigan/teacher-salary-in-dexter-community-school-district/
justcurious
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:54 a.m.
According to this site teacher costs are 75% of the expenditures. Not sure why someone decided my other comment was against the guidelines. All I did was agree with your post.
justcurious
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:41 a.m.
BINGO! You hit the nail on the head. But I would also include monetary compensation in that one.
ownrdgd
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
Lotsa waste in the dexter school system From the guy who uses the school pick-up to purchase all the junk food and lottery tickets on taxpayers dime at mugg and bopps gas station 2-3 times a day,thats right I see him every day. To the lit up like its christmas time at most of the schools in the middle of the night. To the foot bridge and treated lumber foot path on shield road that NOBODY uses. On and On
Laura Jones
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
The footbridge is used by students going from the HS to Ritt Field, sometimes at night, so that makes sense to me. If you see other waste, why not let the school board know?
justcurious
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.
When I was in school no one paid to play sports. What changed? Where are my tax dollars going?
Mike
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 11:36 a.m.
Hope and change......four more years.............
a2citizen
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 4:39 a.m.
justcurious: teachers get a yearly raise, plus their pensions need to be funded. Property values have fallen in the last few years. Property taxes also go to pay other city services (police, fire, parks, ...) Combined, the dollars do not exist anymore. It's a sad, economic fact. Those of us who have lost jobs in the private sector during the last couple years understand a basic economic principle that public employees do not seem to grasp. Hopefully, public employees will not have to endure the same pain as the private sector. The only thing keeping the U.S. afloat today is Bernake's creative accounting.
Steve
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 2:26 a.m.
Stagnant school funding and inflation, increased standardized testing, out of control healthcare costs, state government moving costs that had traditionally been covered by the state to the school districts. All the "education reforms" that have been passed cost money and those costs have also been passed to the districts
justcurious
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.
My question is the same...why is there a need for anyone to pay now when there wasn't before?
a2citizen
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.
navy, apparently the dexter taxypayers are not "remitting" enough. And, if the dexter taxpayers are not "remitting" enough, where should the money come from? There is no such thing as the tooth fairy. Unless of course, you are dense.
GoNavy
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:46 a.m.
a2citizen- Don't be dense. In the context of this argument, "pay to play" means "to pay above and beyond the current level of payment as represented by taxpayer remittances to their respective districts and states."
a2citizen
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.
No one paid? uh, hello-o-o-o, the taxpayer paid.
goldenrule
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
And schools wonder why kids won't play! What a waste. I have a family of six & budget every dollar we have. With this type of price tag, kids will be forced to sit out. There is such a push for kids to stay active-get off the computers/ipods but yet, this gives one more reason the waist lines of kids bellies will increase along with the schools budget! Shame on you!
Ron Granger
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
When I was a lad, we organized and played our own games at recess and after school. We took it quite seriously. It was free. It taught leadership, organization, and team work. Sports are good but they shouldot supplant the core educational function, or funds.
mixmaster
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
Would they pay a similar amount for smaller class sizes, longer and more school days and more academics? And the resulting time and effort put forth by teachers?
belboz
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
My son doesn't take French. Can we please make that pay to play (..or speak...) Nor does he play in the Symphony. Please make that pay to play. And, he doesn't take the bus, so please make that pay to ride. Also, he doesn't use the wood shop, so please make that pay to make. And thankfully, he does not meet with the principal, so please make their role pay to discipline.
belboz
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.
Flawed logic. Hah. That's exactly my point.
Ron Granger
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
Your logic is flawed. But let's go with it: I don't have kids, so why must I pay for yours?
a2citizen
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
My daughter goes to a private school and I have to pay for everything your son does in his public school. That would include, English, social studies, geography, French, Spanish, German, symphony, the bus, wood shop, metal shop, algebra, geometry, trig, calculus, reading, spelling, pencils, lunch, after school care, before school care, toilet paper, drinking water, teachers salaries, field trips,... The list goes on.
boo
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 10:04 p.m.
great post!
Goober
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
Sounds good to me. Not all kids can or are allowed to play sports. So, let those that are selected 'pay-to-play'. Why should I pay, for example if my kid is not selected or allowed to play. Sounds like a fair proposition.