craigdailypress.com

Pay-to-play fees for the Moffat County School District could be increasing.

On Thursday night, school board members listened to a brief presentation concerning fees for students playing sports.

Students now pay $40 per sport and $15 for lodging when an overnight stay is required. Students in other activities, such as choir, speech or band, pay $25 for participation.

Moffat County Super-

intendent Pete Bergmann told board members that the fees charged by the school district are less than what other districts of a similar size charge.

By implementing some steps to increase fees modestly in the next three years, the school district can save anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000, Bergmann said. That money can then be funneled into other educational programs, he added.

A declining enrollment combined with the lowest per pupil funding in Colorado, causes the district to look annually at its budget for areas of savings.

"We're always looking for ways we can either cut expenditures or raise revenue" without putting too much of a burden on the community, Bergmann said.

The proposal the district is considering would raise pay-to-play fees $5 per year for the next three years. The proposal would hold fees at the current rate during the upcoming school year and would be implemented in the fall of 2007.

Lodging fees would increase at the same rate.

"The trouble is, ($15) doesn't cover the cost of rooms anymore," assistant superintendent Joel Sheridan said.

Bergmann said the $15 fee has been held at the same rate for the past 10 years or so. He said by increasing the lodging fee, the school district is hoping to break even on expenses.

The school board will vote on the proposal at its August meeting.

Included in the proposal will be a revision on postseason play. As it stands, the school district pays expenses -- food and lodging -- for the postseason.

Under the new guidelines, teams will pay for their expenses for postseason tournaments or games that are listed on the regular schedule. The school district would pick up the tab for tournaments or games, like state or national competitions, that aren't listed on the schedule.

The district allocates about $250,000 for sports. That figure includes costs for transportation and coaches' salaries. Bergmann said part of the athletic fund budget comes from fees and ticket sales.

About $47,000 comes out of the general fund. By increasing fees, the district can take less money out of its general fund, thereby making the money available in other areas, the superintendent said.

Joshua Roberts can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 210, or jroberts@craigdailypress.com.