CMS Considers Pay-for-Play Sports
Tonight, rain didn’t keep these parents from coming out to see their kids play ball. In Mecklenburg County, sports has traditionally been open to all students.
But this year’s budget battle means parents may have to step up to the plate. “We're looking at increasing gate receipts, so adding a dollar to admission and pay-to-play for middle school and high school are two options,” says CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman. Gorman says to save middle school sports, CMS will need another source of funding. Some parents though say pay-to-play just isn’t fair. “If you put fees in for sports and then, how are you going to regulate who gets to play and who doesn't? So we keep segregating our students more and more from those who have and those who don't have,” says parent Teresa Zeigler. The School Board met with County Commission to discuss achievement and budget issues. Gorman says while important, middle school sports can't be his top priority. “What we've said is if it comes down to saving teachers’ jobs or this it wouldn't be that priority,” Gorman says. Back at the game, parents from Parkwood tell us pay-for-play is already in effect for middle school sports in Union County. They say it costs around $200 a season. For those who can’t afford it, the district tries to offer scholarships. Something Gorman says they would do here, trying to make something work. “But middle school sports would fit in if we can find another way to do that,” Gorman says. |
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