Windsor Locks Raises School Sports Fee, Adds Drama Charge

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Windsor Locks students will pay more to play school sports this year, while those taking part in drama productions are also being charged a participation fee.

The Board of Education revised its pay-to-participate policy during an Aug. 20 meeting, according to an Aug. 25 notice sent to families.

The sports fee increased to $125 for each sport. Students participating in a drama production will pay $50.

Payments are due within 14 calendar days of the official start of a season. The fees are nonrefundable and do not guarantee that an athlete will receive playing time.

Families paying the full rate will be charged no more than $600 during the school year. The annual cap for families approved for reduced sports fees is $300.

The policy includes full and partial waivers based on household income. A family of four earning up to $42,900 annually may qualify for a full waiver, while a family of four earning up to $61,050 may qualify for a reduced sports fee of $50.

The district's notice says the $50 drama fee is not eligible for the reduced-rate option. Families facing financial hardship may still apply for a full waiver.

Waiver applications must be approved before a student can participate beyond tryouts.

The fees are tied to revenue built into the school system's 2026-27 budget. Budget documents approved by the school board in January projected $30,000 in pay-to-participate revenue at the high school and another $13,862.40 at the middle school.

The documents also warned that changing the participation policy would require corresponding adjustments to the two school budgets.

District materials do not say the higher fee was caused by Windsor Locks' six failed budget referendums. The expected participation revenue was included in the district's January proposal, months before the first townwide vote.

The policy was revised, however, while the town was still without an approved spending plan. The Aug. 20 school board meeting came nine days after voters rejected the budget for a sixth time.

The town budget ultimately passed Aug. 25 by a 705-704 vote following a recount. The Board of Education allocation was not reduced during the final round of cuts.

Additional information and waiver forms are available through the district's athletics webpage.

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