Fees are not required for non-participators

To the Editor:

This is the message that the administrative team and school committee would like to communicate to the press and to the public.

If a student does not participate in a sport, marching band, clubs or other co-curricular programs you do not have to pay a fee. However, if a student does participate in a sport, marching band, clubs or other co-curricular program you do have to pay a fee.

The athletic fee is $100 per sport per participant at the middle and high school levels.

The marching band fee is $100 per participant at the middle and high school levels.

Clubs and co-curricular programs at the middle level will cost $50 and will allow a student to participate in multiple clubs or co-curricular programs.

Clubs and co-curricular programs at the high school level will cost $60 and will allow a student to participate in multiple clubs or co-curricular programs.

If a family can demonstrate a financial hardship via federal guidelines the fee to participate will be waived.

We certainly encourage all students and parents to support the excellent sports, marching band, clubs and co-curricular programs at Overlook and Oakmont. The school department's intent for implementing a fee structure is to allow sports, marching band, clubs and co-curricular program to function as normally as possible and share as a "Commonwealth", the cost of the programming. If however a family chooses not to pay the fee and therefore not participate in the programming, we certainly respect their decision.

We remain hopeful that all students will be encouraged to participate in a sport, marching band, club and other cocurricular programs and seriously consider the opportunity of becoming more involved in their school community.

As an additional incentive for students that do pay the fee, they will be provided with an identification card, which can be used for discounted purchases at local area businesses and reduced admission to school sponsored programs.

Sadly the school district is forced to institute a system of participation fees to fund sports, marching band, clubs and other co-curricular programs because of the failed override. We have eliminated 32 positions in the district (15 teachers, nine paraprofessionals, four secretaries and four custodians). Despite the failed override and the many personnel and programmatic reductions the school department has maintained a balanced budget. Make no mistake that the imposition of fees is to offer student programming above and beyond the school districts balanced budget.

These are difficult financial times and during difficult times unpopular decisions need to be made. Strong leadership is about making difficult decisions during difficult times.

The school committee with the recommendation from the superintendent had to make a difficult decision which we believe is in the best interest of the students.

Therefore, we must come to the families of the District and ask, not require, their support to maintain after-school programs that are important to the culture of our schools and the enrichment of young people's lives.

Thank you.

Michael Zapantis Superintendent of Schools Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District