Van Buren schools plan extracurricular fees

6/15/2005

VAN BUREN, Ohio Students participating in athletics and other extracurricular activities will be paying for that privilege this fall unless voters approve a levy in August.

The Van Buren school board Monday night approved a pay-to-participate plan expected to save the district about $76,000 a year, Superintendent Tim Myers said. High school athletes will pay $175 per sport. Junior high athletes as well as high school marching band and show choir members would pay $115. Drama and quiz bowl participants would each pay $50, and middle school students who attend an after-school program would pay $20.

Under the plan, the board also will not fill 25 coach, assistant, and adviser positions for next school year. After rejecting two operating levies, Van Buren voters are being asked to approve a three-year, 5.5-mill levy Aug. 2. If that passes, Mr. Myers said, the pay-to-participate program will be rescinded.