BOE Talks Fees for MS Sports and Other Programs

Fees for the middle school sports program and some extracurricular programs was the topic of conversation at Monday's Board of Education meeting.  The discussion comes in advance of Superintendent Dr. Brad Draeger's upcoming Town Hall meeting on the subject, which will be held on Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m. in the Livingston High School auditorium. 

The Heritage Middle School Interscholastic Athletic Program, along with the before school Gifted/Talented art and music programs, were eliminated in the 2010-2011 budget that voters approved in April.  But since then, there has been a push to reinstate these programs, possibly by implementing a fee structure.

"We need to pinpoint what direction we will go," said Dr. Draeger about deciding what the board will do with the activities in the fall.

Some of the school board members said that the district should evenly divide its attention between sports and the other activities.

While board members have different ideas about a fee structure, some back a plan that is "self-sustaining."

"I certainly support any fee structure that is truly self-sustaining," said board member Chuck Granata.

Board member Leslie Winograd added that  "it would be only fair to have all fees for all clubs be consistent."

Antonio Calcado, another board member, is worried that if the district implements fees that there will students who will be deprived of activities because their family cannot afford them.

"It's a horrific place to put a kid," said Calcado about the students who won't be able to pay and therefore will be looking at the programs from the outside in.

As for what a sports program with a possible fee structure would look like, Dr. Draeger presented the William Annin Model based on the William Annin Middle School in Basking Ridge, which is a quasi public-private middle school athletic organization. The model offers fewer sports, the coaches are paid less (also, high school seniors help out) and the sports schedule is reduced to three days a week with a maximum of two games per week.

Another idea that has been talked about is a district-wide activity fee, similar to what's used in the West Essex Regional school district. One resident, Neal Grossman, thought it was the best solution to the activity cost.

"I think people would pay between $50 to $100 each for an activity fee now and in the future," said Grossman.

Some other ideas that have been presented to replace the middle school sports program include having a Heritage intramural program or outsourcing the interscholastic program to the YMCA.  All ideas can be discussed at the Town Hall meeting, when Dr. Draeger and members of his administration will be available to answer questions. 

Questions can be submitted in advance of the meeting by sending an email to jganz@livingston.org.  Question must be received by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16.   All residents are encouraged to attend the meeting; for more information, visit www.livingston.org.