Board debates activity-fee increase amid cost pressures; trustees urge caution

Board members discussed whether to raise Dunlap CUSD 323’s per-student activity fee, which currently stands at $90, to help cover rising costs for athletics and other extracurricular programs.

Trustee comments during the Feb. 12 meeting noted fall sports ended in the black while winter sports ran a deficit. A proposal floated in discussion would increase the fee to $100 or more; some trustees mentioned ideas of tiered charges for multiple activities but administrators warned that per-activity surcharges would create administrative complexity and potential equity concerns. Dr. Dearman (district administrator in the transcript) and other staff recommended a single up-front increase if the board chooses to raise fees, and noted the existing fee has not been raised in eight years and was reduced in a past action.

Trustees cited the district’s heavy local tax burden when debating whether to add costs for families. Several board members said they did not want to discourage student participation in activities that support academic and social development. Board members also asked for clearer data on what activities are included in the fee roster (sports, scholastic bowl, FBLA, chess club and other charged activities were cited) and how shortfalls have been covered historically; staff said fee revenue is tagged to the charging activity and that shortfalls historically come from district general or activity accounts as needed.

No final vote occurred; board members asked administrators to return with more detailed participation and cost data and expressed a preference for avoiding complicated per-activity add-ons. The item is expected to return for a decision at a future meeting.