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47 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, April 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 7, 2004 Medford school board OKs pay-to-play provision By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Medford School District students who play sports or participate in after-school activities such as drama, forensics or music will have to pay for that opportunity next year, under a policy adopted by the school board Tuesday night. In an effort to raise $200,000 and prevent the elimination of teams and activities, the Medford school board approved a pay-to-play plan that will go into effect in the fall. High school athletes will have to pay $100 per sport with a maximum $200 fee per student, no matter how many sports are played, said Dan Zaklan, the district’s director of secondary education. Middle school athletes will have to pay a $50 fee per sport, with a maximum set at $100 per student. "This is a way to not have to cut programs that would take years to rebuild," Zaklan said. High school students who participate in after-school activities, other than sports, for which the school provides a paid adviser will have to pay $50. That fee will cover as many activities as they want to participate in, Zaklan said. Middle school students won’t face an activity fee. Advertisement The participation fees were proposed last year to help fill budget gaps without cutting programs. A team of administrators and coaches studied the issue and found that many other districts already had such policies and the fees averaged $110 per sport, North Medford High School Principal Doug McKenzie told the board Tuesday. "We’re one of the last in the state to add this payment," McKenzie said. The fees would be collected at the start of the sports season or activity program. They would have to be paid before students could participate, just as other eligibility paperwork, such as sports physicals, must be in order, he said. Programs will be available to help students who can’t pay the fees, McKenzie said. The district also plans to accept credit cards so families can spread out payments. Refunds would be available for students cut from teams, but wouldn’t be given for those who quit, were injured or became ineligible, the policy states. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times