School fees and ticket costs to public school athletic events-- what's the deal?

[Beth Watson Drinnen]

I'm writing a story for the Knoxville News-Sentinel regarding school fees and ticket costs to public school athletic events. Any comments you would be willing to give me on these topics would be appreciated. I'm particularly looking for opinions on the cost of tickets to athletic events, and if you feel "nickel and dimed" by various school fees, as well as what you feel solutions to these issues would be. Personal stories regarding these issues are welcome as well.

[Geoffrey Steadman]

Ticket prices sustain athletic programs.

If you plan to write about the cost of tickets at middle and high school athletic events, you must consider the enormous expenses involved in competitive sports and how little of that cost is paid directly by the students participating in the sporting events.

I recommend that you contact the head of an athletic program at one of the local high schools and ask about the direct and indirect costs of supporting middle and high school sports programs: coaching salaries, equipment, field/gym maintenance, bus transportation to and from athletic events, insurance, etc. It adds up quickly.

Although I am by no means a well-informed source on this topic, I think that you will find that the ticket prices at popular sporting events such as football and basketball support not only the football and basketball teams but a host of other, less popular sports programs at the same school.

[elaine davis]

Our family lives very close to Bearden High School. I have 3 children ages 10, 8, and 6. The kids enjoy going to the football games and we would probably attend more frequently except for the price. At the football Jamboree which was held at Bearden this past year, the price of admission (if I remember correctly) was approximately $10.00 each. Not so bad if it weren't for the fact that that was for the children as well. I believe that children 2 and younger are free but everyone else pays full price. So for a family of five it cost approximately $50.00 and that isn't the only expense. Invariably, we purchase quite a bit from the concession stand.
At the time my youngest was 5 years old and not able to last through a whole game. We'll usually left after halftime because they like to watch the band perform.

I would rather see a graduated admission cost based on age. I think that would attract more attendees. My children enjoy the games and watching some of the high school boys that live in our neighborhood play. It builds a sense of community in them at an early age. And that's something we can't afford to lose.

[Bob Hunter]

I know we have friends with children in schools in different communities and states. Some have higher school fees than us, most have some type of fees, but there are some where not only are the fees paid but some of the schools provide some of the student's pencil, papers, etc. I feel there should be some type of limitation on the fees and costs of materials since parents with more than 1 child can get pretty hard each semester, especially in high school.
As far as event fees, I have not experienced anything unreasonable. As someone else mentioned when you look at the cost of rec and competitive leagues they are much cheaper. If we can cover some of the expenses of these programs outside the school budget and save it for core education expenses I am all for it.

[Cathy McCaughan]

I understand that the costs help the programs, but we pay several hundred dollars a semester for our child to be in an activity and then we have to pay the entrance fee for each family member every time we want to see the child actually DOING that activity. It is overwhelming.

[Bob Hunter]

I understand as we have experienced the same combined with rec/competitve league fees sometimes at the same time. And then add that many of the school teams and other activities like chorus/band/drama require fund raisers of their members as well. But I still think the school system needs to focus on core education, not these type of programs, when money is tight so I think for now there is not much else that can be done.

[Cathy McCaughan]

I completely agree with you.

[Pamela Treacy]

I have often wondered what the law is regarding school fees. I recall once being told, but can't source it, that each school can set their own fees. So one school can charge a $5 science fee while another doesn't charge or charges $10. This is for the basic education not even the activity fees that are addressed above.

Students under free or reduced lunch do not have to pay the fees which is fine with me. I often wonder if each family with children paid a little something for their public education could we improve it or would the money be wasted. Nearly 70% of our local government taxes are spent on schools. 70% of the people don't have children. As an advocate for public education, I know it is difficult to get people to pay more taxes when they are not directly seeing the benefits.

If those without children realized that if more children are better prepared for jobs, we will have less to pay in taxes that support welfare and other basic aid programs. Educate now or pay later. With that said, can parents with children help more?

If every child in Knox County paid $100 for their education per semester, we would have nearly $11,000,000. At $50K per teacher, we could hire 216 more teachers. Imagine the impact more teachers could have.

[Bob Hunter]

Believe me - most times $100 would be a savings!

[granma2]

I agree that $100 per child would be good, but nearly 40% of the students in KCS are on fee waiver. They don't pay for anything. I don't know the answer to fees, but I know it felt like burden on me when my children were in school. However, I managed to get through it all and it seemed insignificant when I started paying college tuition.

[Debi]

Fee waivers do not apply at sporting events.

[Cathy McCaughan]

We pay significantly more than $100 per child.

[Debi]

I would like to see the student at the school get in free, siblings under age at a reduced price. I don't mind paying full price myself if our kids could catch a break. Or reverse it, the child pays full price, no one else pays. I agree with the others, for my family to attend a football game is $50 just to attend. For this reason we rarely ever attend. I would enjoy taking them to may more high school events if it didn't cost so much. Lowering the cost would increase ticket sales and concessions, so it wouldn't be as if the event would lose money.