New fee to join a sport or club: $100 in middle school, $150 in high school

What happened

On July 21, 2026 the board adopted Policy 2436 and set a yearly student activity fee starting in 2026-2027: $100 for a middle school student and $150 for a high school student. One payment covers as many sports and clubs as a student joins that year. The fee is waived automatically for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and families in financial hardship can ask their principal for a waiver. Students who pay but never take part get the money back; students who quit part-way through do not.

Why it matters to families

Joining a school team or club in grades 6 to 12 now costs money where it used to be free, so some families will have a new bill each year. The waiver rules decide who is protected from that cost.

The evidence

The approved July 21, 2026 minutes record the second reading and adoption of Policy 2436 and a separate resolution setting the 2026-2027 fees at $100 for middle school and $150 for high school, with hardship waivers handled confidentially by the building principal. The policy text explains that the fee exists because of reduced revenue and rising costs and that the money offsets coach and advisor pay, equipment, officials, facility use and insurance. A student spoke about the coming fees during public comment at the same meeting.

The source