Dive Brief:
- After a pair of New Albany, Ohio middle and high schools raised athletic fees charged to students for participating in sports by 1150% and 750% respectively, participation has dropped.
- The revenue plan was implemented after the district cut 53 teaching positions to save money.
- In the Ohio statehouse, a ban on "pay-to-play" policies is now informally under consideration.
Dive Insight:
Such fees have "have proliferated in Ohio over the past 20 years," reports the Dispatch.
The athletic director for Gahanna Lincoln High School, said the fees, which average about $40,000 per year have funded the improvement its facilities.
Critics say that pay-to-play programs lead to students who are less well-rounded, while advocates say that residential taxpayers shoulder more than their fair share of education taxes, and shouldn't have to pay for recreational activities. This month, three forums will be held in the state, in order to continue a dialogue over whether a ban should be instated.
