The Arlington High School athletics department has closed a public, online survey about current fees for users and gate admission. Community discussions about the fees are set for Monday, April 2, in Old Hall, from 7 to 8 a.m., as well as Thursday, April 5, from 6 to 7 p.m., at Old Hall, AHS.
Published earlier: Athletics Director Melissa Dlugolecki asked the public to complete a department survey, which had remained open until Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Dlugolecki wrote: “Thank you for taking the time to contribute to the assessment of our athletic user fees and admission charges to athletic events. User fees have not been evaluated in recent years, during which costs, resources supplied and programmatic needs have evolved to meet the changing demands of offering educational athletics programs.
“While we wish we had the capacity to offer athletic programs without a fee, that is not currently feasible. Our primary objective is to offer athletic programming with the focus on developing life skills that will serve beyond the playing field. Ultimately, sports are a means to access that common curriculum. We would like to create a fee structure that bests support the educational goals of increased participation and engagement, rather than implying a pay-to-play model.
“Students pay a fee to be a part of the athletic department and experience educational-athletic programming. User fees do not cover the cost of athletic programming; they defray just over a third of it. The costs of individual sports vary from year to year, for example: if a team plays in the postseason; if they are in a replacement uniform year; or if the schedule creates higher bus costs. Variables such as league determined start times, MIAA scheduling limitations or tournament venues impact costs.
“Please visit the athletics Website to view more on our history, philosophy and current fee structure.
“Below is a chart of athletic fees throughout the league. These schools field a comparable number programs, provide transportation to a similar number of events and travel similar distances.
Winchester: $325 user fee, $1295 family cap. No gate fee.
Reading: $325 user fee, $950 family cap.
Belmont: $450 for the first sport played, $300 for the second sport, $150 for the third sport.
Lexington: $325 flat fee, $650 family cap. No gate fee.
Woburn: No fee
Arlington: Cost varies by sport, $1295 family cap.
View sport costs here (scroll down): FEES
Take the survey here >>
This news announcement seeking collect opinions was published Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, and updated April 3.
