Ohio School District Eliminates Pay-to-Play Fees

The Fairborn, Ohio school district voted to eliminate “pay-to-play” fees from high school and middle school athletics this week.

Previously, students paid $75 per sport. Fees per student did not exceed $150 for students who played multiple sports. And, the fees were capped at $225 for families with multiple students in various school activities. 

“We believe that this is a sound decision for the Fairborn community and our families, and we hope that participation numbers will increase at both the high school and middle school levels,” board President Jerry Browning said.

The decision at Fairborn schools comes after several surrounding districts, including Dayton and Springfield, also voted to remove the fees last year.

“We want our students to have every opportunity to participate and be successful,” Superintendent Gene Lolli stated. “This decision will open doors for students who may not have been able to participate in the past.”

Extracurriculars are, as the name implies, extra and not mandatory coursework like a math or science class. However, participating in team sports teaches students valuable lessons like teamwork and goal setting. Across the country, pay-to-play structures are being questioned as they limit student involvement in these extracurriculars, perhaps limiting their educational experience overall. Some tax-payers speculate the legality of public institutions charging students to participate, while others believe sports and other activities truly go above and beyond the basics of public education.

Beyond the newly eliminated fees, students at Fairborn’s schools have even more to be excited about as they prepare for the 2024 school year. A brand new school, stadium and performing arts space are all opening for the new school year. The school’s original plans to erect new softball and baseball fields have been put on hold.