Debate about hike in activity fees continuing (Unionville-Chadds Ford)

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Debate about hike in activity fees continuing

School officials still weighing their options

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

By Wm. Shawn Weigel, Staff Writer

Unionville-Chadds Ford school officials Monday discussed a proposed student activity fee increase.

Director of secondary education John Sanville updated where the debate stands, and board member Jeff Leiser, who heads the board's communications committee, said some of the concerns he's received are premature.

"We're still in the process of collecting information and trying to evaluate the current state," Leiser said. "And there will be a lot of additional discussion and deliberation before we take any action as a board."

Sanville said the original idea for the increase emerged at last April's Community Conversation held to brainstorm the district's budget problems with community members.

Officials say the district spends $885,737 annually on student activities, with $87,920 coming from the current fee schedule. Of the 6,825 students who participate in activities, Sanville said, 3,779 pay a fee for each activity while 3,046 do not. Some students, he said, also participate in a variety of activities at once.

Director of student life Jim Fulginiti said booster clubs offset the cost by $28,980, and an additional $37,590 is collected in donations or as payments for required equipment.

"We use the example of the cheerleaders, the pompoms and things like that," he said. "Things that a young person needs to go on the field to be part of that organization … those are things that come from the parents and are a part of that grey area."

Fulginiti noted $281,733 in parental support for activities and athletics.

At a recent four-county budget summit, Sanville said, the idea of increased student activity fees was discussed by school superintendents and business managers.

"This is something that is not just being taken on by us … but something that is being looked upon in the entire Philadelphia area," he said.

Sanville said no one wants cuts to programs or athletics, and many are comfortable with a "reasonable increase" in the fees. But what's "reasonable" is hard to define, he said.

He said stakeholders oppose raising fees to the point where participation is affected.

A $25 fee has been established by the district for participation in athletic activities, Sanville said. On average, when augmented by booster club and other fees, the figure is closer to $75 per student.

The activities fee committee is expected to make a final report to the board in January, with recommendations on how to proceed in time for the 2011-12 school year budgeting process.

Several parents on Monday evening urged the board not to increase fees.

Additional information on this topic is available on the district's Website, www.ucfsd.org.