How do you feel about paying fees for art and athletics at public schools?
December 8, 2008
I am writing a story about school policies for a local paper. If you wouldn't mind being quoted please leave your first and last name so I can attribute your thoughts.
Thank you very much!
Here in Nevada everyone is facing budget crunches. we've had over 1 billion knocked off the top- and everyone has contributed including schools. What does that mean? The most "unnecessary" programs (usually seen as art, music, and maybe sports) will be the first things to go.
Asking people to pay for the sports and arts program can have benefits. One- they rely less on the funding the school gets for these programs and so will not be as severely impacted by budget cuts. In theory, the quality of the programs may be higher for this reason. Then, only those who wish to participate actually pay so no one else (tax-payer wise) has the burden of paying for programs they don't necessarily want or need.
The drawback- this would only work well in schools that service a relatively wealthy or at least "well to do" area of people. They can afford to pay for the programs, and would probably do so without too much fuss. However, even schools in wealthy areas have students whose families cannot afford to pay. And what of schools located in less affluent areas? Most of that student body would not have the opportunity to participate in sports, music, or art if they had to pay- making it even more likely they'll find other less constructive ways to occupy their time.
Overall, I don't think it's a bad idea *if* there is a way to ensure that it is still open and available to everyone- even those that cannot pay. Otherwise, I think such programs need to remain free to be "equal opportunity" since the benefits of being involved in art, music, and/or sports are just too valuable to place a dollar amount on.
And you can quote me! 
Tricia M.
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"I am against it! School should be about teaching the three "R's." All this money spent on crap like art and athletics is a waste of my money!"
Respectfully,
Mortimer Snerd III
References :
Here in Nevada everyone is facing budget crunches. we've had over 1 billion knocked off the top- and everyone has contributed including schools. What does that mean? The most "unnecessary" programs (usually seen as art, music, and maybe sports) will be the first things to go.
Asking people to pay for the sports and arts program can have benefits. One- they rely less on the funding the school gets for these programs and so will not be as severely impacted by budget cuts. In theory, the quality of the programs may be higher for this reason. Then, only those who wish to participate actually pay so no one else (tax-payer wise) has the burden of paying for programs they don't necessarily want or need.
The drawback- this would only work well in schools that service a relatively wealthy or at least "well to do" area of people. They can afford to pay for the programs, and would probably do so without too much fuss. However, even schools in wealthy areas have students whose families cannot afford to pay. And what of schools located in less affluent areas? Most of that student body would not have the opportunity to participate in sports, music, or art if they had to pay- making it even more likely they'll find other less constructive ways to occupy their time.
Overall, I don't think it's a bad idea *if* there is a way to ensure that it is still open and available to everyone- even those that cannot pay. Otherwise, I think such programs need to remain free to be "equal opportunity" since the benefits of being involved in art, music, and/or sports are just too valuable to place a dollar amount on.
And you can quote me!
Tricia M.
References :
I think it's a necessary evil.
The fees should be avoided at all costs, but if it comes down to either paying the fees or just canceling the programs, paying the fees is obviously the better choice.
For sports and fine arts, the basic fees (not even counting equipment, etc.) can run into hundreds of dollars, just so a student can participate.
The school pays for nothing besides the teachers' salaries. Transportation, meals, equipment, maintenance, and any extra staff is paid for by the students in the program.
- Hannah King.
References :