Westside Messenger - March 22nd, 2020

PAGE 4 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - March 22, 2020
In Education
Board of education reviews
pay-to-participate fees
By Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
The fees attached to pay-to-participate
were discussed at recent South-Western
City board of education meetings.
During a visioning session on Feb. 29,
the board debated potential changes to the
fee schedule that has been in place since
2009.
Superintendent Dr. Bill Wise stated in
the minutes his belief that any changes to
the fee schedule should be tied to future
operating levies to which a number of
board members agreed.
Board member David Donofrio
expressed his displeasure with the current
fee schedule and asked Treasurer Hugh
Garside what the impact would be to district
revenue should athletic fees be
reduced to $10 per sport and club fees be
reduced to $0. The current fee schedule
states that middle school athletes pay $75
per participant, per sport and high school
athletes pay $150 per participant, per
sport; club fees are set at $10.
Garside said that the fee schedule set at
the rate suggested by Donofrio would
decrease district revenue by roughly
$436,000 per year and would create a “compounding
effect.” Sandra Nekoloff, the district’s
director of communications,
explained that reductions at that level had
not been accounted for in the district’s fiveyear
forecast and that it would have to be
dealt with by either reducing expenditures
in other areas and/or creating additional
revenues.
Board member Anthony Caldwell said
he has heard from families who feel the fee
schedule as it is currently set to be a financial
burden and believes there could be a
compromise.
A majority of the board said when they
set the pay-to-participate fee schedule, it
was a promise to the taxpayers who narrowly
voted to approve a 7.4-mill continuous
operating levy 11 years ago that they
must keep.
The fee schedule was up for passage at
the March 9 meeting and several community
members spoke out in favor of, and
against, the current structure.
Sheila Ragland said she was in favor of
keeping the schedule as is because it was a
promise of fiscal responsibility to the community
made by the board.
Autumn Skinner said she was against
the fee schedule as is creates a financial
burden on her family. Skinner has three
children in middle school who all play multiple
sports. She said that her family pays
hundreds of dollars each year for her sons
to participate and that is with the family
cap of $500 and scholarships from Success
Beyond the Classroom.
She said she feels the fees are a hindrance
to athletic and extra-curricular participation,
especially for those who live on
the westside of the district.
“I sit in the stands of multiple sports
and always wonder why our student athlete
count is so lopsided against Grove
City, Central Crossing, Jackson Middle
and Brookpark Middle,” she said at the
meeting. “Are their students really more
interested in sports, or can our parents just
not afford the fees? There’s talent that may
not be seen due to the financial struggles of
many.”
Skinner said she understands where the
concept of pay-to-participate came from
and why it was put into place, but wondered
whether greater steps could be taken
to lessen the financial burden for some.
She suggested a tiered system where
the first sport is set at current levels, the
second reduced at a voted-upon percentage
and the third sport free with a family cap
still in place.
During the vote on the unchanged fee
schedule, Donofrio urged his fellow members
to vote against the current structure
as it “creates an unnecessary financial
hardship” on families. The majority board
voted in favor of keeping the pay-to-participate
fee schedule as is; Caldwell, who
voted in favor of the motion, said he
believes there is still room for compromise
in the future. Member Lee Schreiner
expressed a similar sentiment but said it
was important that the board keep their
promise to the voters.
According to Nekoloff, the implementation
of pay-to-participate fees did not eliminate
the district’s extracurricular expenses.
They continue to pay for “coaches/advisors,
transportation, athletic trainers, officials/referees,
security, ongoing maintenance
and supplies and materials.” The
district spends roughly $3.2 million annually
for extra-curricular activities.
She also explained that the high school
athletic fees are more expensive than the
middle school level as high school athletics
have longer seasons, more contests and
require greater travel.
The board did agree to make a few
minor changes to the annual fee schedule.
Those changes include no charge for copies
of transcripts and a standardized science
fee for high school courses set at $10.
Additionally, students who attend a
College Credit Plus course on a college
campus and pay for a parking pass can use
that parking pass to cover the cost of their
high school parking fee.
Active
Lifestyles
www.columbusmessenger.com
A bi-monthly feature celebrating the wisdom, experience
and contributions of our community’s senior citizens
Staying active can help alleviate
arthritis pain for senior citizens
Exercise can be beneficial in the treatment
of arthritis, say many doctors.
Physical activity can reduce stiffness and
increase muscle strength and flexibility. It also
has overall health benefits, such as improving
cardiac fitness and physical endurance. Three
types of exercise are most appropriate for
those who have arthritis:
•Strength training: Strong muscles help
support and protect joints affected by arthritis.
Lifting weights can provide this.
•Range of motion exercises: Dancing,
tai chi, Pilates, swimming, and other activities
that push the body to stretch and move help
maintain normal joint motion and relieve stiffness.
•Aerobic activities: Activities such as
brisk walking, bicycle riding, skating and more
are good for the heart. They also moderate
weight, which in turn puts less strain on joints,
particularly the knees. Some studies show
that aerobic exercise can reduce inflammation
in some joints.
Before beginning an exercise program,
discuss with your doctor what activities might
be right for you.