National Federation Of High Schools

Pay-to-play policy grows nationally as school budgets shrink

In late 1980, Newtown High School was among the first wave of schools in the country to begin collecting "pay-to-play fees for student athletes. Today, seven districts in the region of charge costs.

It took two decades for the fee program to gain ground nationally as a way to pay for sports, which are usually 1 to 3 percent of the budget of a school district.

But now it is snowballing.

Only five years ago, a third of states have some sports rights of the user. Now, with the exception of California, where it is against the law, experts predict each state has at least one school with fees.

Not in Danbury, however, when schools Superintendent Sal Pascarella strongly opposes fees, even though it deals with a budget allocation for next year which represents 3 million less than he asked of the city.

Sports programs are too vital to the educational experience close to the risk of students who could not afford to pay, Pascarella said.

"My personal feeling is that it is co-curricular. It is a legitimate part of academic life," he said. "It added value to their education and character.''

Pascarella supports the reduction of certain parts of the program to make it affordable.

Danbury High School will charge a fee for ice hockey, and Pascarella has proposed eliminating sports freshmen, adding a less expensive intramural and be a charge for the program of sports winter.

In addition, Pascarella said, the suburban districts to easily collect the fees they charge, but the neighborhoods are more evil and that would hurt the bottom line of a school budget.

The imposition of fees is difficult, "admitted Simon Gregg, athletic director of Newtown High School.

"It is always difficult to ask parents to pay more money for their students can play sports," said Simon."The alternative is to lose the program."

Newtown lowered its fares to $ 50 and $ 100 last year and set a ceiling for the family $ 450 to help parents with students of many, but this year the fees were increased to $ 150 and $ 200 due the budget crisis.

Most schools have a student activity fee to $ 50 for years. Compensation to participate in the sports policy emerged first in the Northeast for the years 1990 and was limited in the country until recently, said Bruce Howard, director of publications for the National Federation of Associations State High School.

"A 2009 survey of the Federation has determined that the fees were used in 33 states,''Howard said." At that time, I expect that some high schools in each state have succumbed to commit to pay to participate.

WIAA and NFHS approve basketball rules changes and revisions for ...

The changes in penalties for misconduct effective throw-ins with the season 2011-12, and several other rule changes and editorial revisions were approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its meeting on April 11 -13 in Indianapolis. All rule changes recommended by the committee were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.In addition to the re-amendment of Rule 9-2-10, the committee approved several amendments, including the reorganization of the definition of willful misconduct, to clarify when an alternating possession throw-in must be administered and the clarification of the administration when the penalty for simple mistakes occur in the context of a multiple-throw situation. "Even if there is a growing interest in using a stopwatch, the general tenor of the commission is that the time is not right," said Struckhoff."Given the current economic climate, it would be difficult for schools to comply with a rule requiring the purchase of new equipment and hiring additional staff table."

faststew (5/11/201112: 44:24 PM):
Shot clock would really mess up games! If they eventually do, they should use the 4th quarter alone! I saw a team of Wilmot 17yrs ago to keep the ball throughout the quarter, fourth with a lead of 4 points! I have also seen hanging on the ball once entire first half!Yes they won the state, but I can see basketball isn't two minutes, but thats last winner to have a whole new level! I wouldnt disagree fourth chronometer watch or even second half to avoid this kind of things you know?? Many of the problems schools combat mites ect electronic techniques but the end is more of a thrilling game to keep young people in the game without having to exit fault? Difficult to make decisions that re write history records and stats! Tough call!

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