I agree with you garyprimer as well. We definitely need to find better ways in schools and the community for publicly recognizing on a REGULAR basis the scholastic achievments of so many of our students. Sporting achievements do get more media attention, and while I will never deny the benefits of sports, I do believe that academics are a school's first priority. Sadly, it seems right now our society and culture in general has placed more emphasis on sports than education in more ways than one! (ex. Charter making public access channels mroe difficult to access but adding "Big Ten Network"! without the need for a box!)

Exactly. If these fees were to pass, I think that a lot of parents would either: 1. Keep their kids out of sports because they can't afford the fees, thus economically segregating the teams; or 2. Force parents, who would have been able to pay the $50.00 fee to swallow their pride and apply for the fee waiver, consequently, the school district would get NO money from these parents.
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I acknowledge the necessity for there to be some sort of compensation to the district, but these fees are just too much right now.
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I was in sports in high school. I was also raised by a single father. I asked my dad what he thought of these fees, and he explained that there was no way I would have been able to continue playing. Regardless of the issues you have with sports, there is no denying that it is a productive way for kids to spend their time. It's not like the economy has a lot to offer these kids in terms of after school jobs right now.

70 million on school expantion, and we want to nickle and dime the parents to death. Sports keep kids out of trouble, build self esteem, and self confidence....these fees are outrageous, next thing you kow we will have to pay extra for algebra, and english.

Yes, I was involved in sports in elementary, junior high, and high school and I agree that sports have their place in education. It just seems to me that too much emphasis is placed on them to the detriment of the student body in general. I would just like to see more respect for students achieving academic excellence. I am sure that many of you will disagree and I respect your opinions.

I agree also with ryno66; and the only sport I ever participated in was two years of cheer - back in "junior high". I have never coached, don't watch sports on TV and only occasionally attend local sporting events, yet as a teacher I have seen first-hand how sports have literally "saved" 100s of students over the 15 years of teaching I have done. Sometimes the only thing motivating a student to do his/her work is the opportunity to play sports. Academics first, yes, but we must keep athletic opportunities affordable for ALL. There are too many benefits for the students, and hence our community's future, to reduce or severely limit access to these programs.

ryno66........As someone who was involved in high school sports, was a varsity coach for 27 years, and had children who were involved in athletes, I couldn't agree with you more. You are 100% correct!

Yes, the parent's are allowed through the booster clubs. However, because of the strict WIAA guidelines, there are limited things that you can use that money for. For example, you can raise money for equipment that stays at the school, but not for equipment that the player would actually keep. So, say, for football, you could raise money for uniforms that the school would use year after year, but not for the cleets or warmups that the players would actually keep.

If some of you think too much emphasis is placed on athletics around here you should see what its like in other places. You would go absolutely crazy in Texas, Ohio or Florida. What we have around here is nothing compared to that.

Gary, were you ever involved in athletics when you were in school? If not, you have no idea what these sports do for a student athlete. As has been said before, being part of an athletics team teaches; confidence, discipline, team work, responsibility, leadership and many other characteristics in a way that you can't replicate in a classroom.

Sports should absolutely be a big part of public education. Academics should come first yes, but just because you don't like it or understand it, doesn't make it wrong.

Should there be a fee for participating in a sport, sure. Should it be $300 per sport, absolutely not!

Look, nobody likes to pay taxes, and nobody wants to pay higher taxes. But, sports are good for the students and the community plain and simple.

The district could do many things to subsidize costs if it is willing to make their facilities available to the public. Several years ago two Janesville youth basketball teams sponsored a big tournament at Beloit Memorial's field house because neither Janesville high school would permit such a thing to take place. The Beloit booster club ran the concessions and raised over $1500 on a Saturday. Host a few such tournaments and the facilities which just sit idle many weekends could be used to raise funds rather tha putting the complete responsibility on the taxpayers or the athletes and their families.

Even though I feel there is to much emphasis placed on sports in middle and high school, the fees seemed excessive. If the school board is looking for ways to save money, they need to start thinking about cutting some athletic programs instead of academic programs.

I have bought raffle tickets from high school students. Isn't that a fund raiser?

Are the parents allowed to participate?

Currently, athletes are not ALLOWED to participate in fundraising per the school district.

The real insanity is expecting tax payers to fully fund middle and high school sports. I would agree that participating in sports provides many benefits. However, participating in high school sports is not a right and is not a requirement for graduation. I would suggest that every single extra-curricular activity have a $25 to $50 administrative fee in ADDITION to having the participant pay at least 50% of the school districts cost of the sport/activity. Charging more at Monterey stadium and having the students do more fundraisers will be needed. Thats just the way it has to be.

The proposed fees were insane.

Sports need to have a smaller role in public education.