Student Athletics
Page Navigation
Interscholastic Athletic Program
-
The need for students to pay-to-participate is a direct consequence of the significant budget cuts that the state has imposed on school districts. Instruction must be our primary focus as we continue to help each student develop to his/her fullest potential, thereby preserving the level of academic excellence that we currently offer our children.
Sports programs are non-mandated programs. In order to maintain the interscholastic athletic program at SBS while at the same time being mindful of our responsibility to work within the tight fiscal constraints imposed on the district, students will be charged a non-refundable fee in order to participate in all interscholastic sports.
Please also keep in mind that all sports seasons will be held in accordance with state and CDC guidelines. There is no guarantee that a full season will be held for any sport. However, once the season starts, the district is obligated to pay the costs that have been approved and incurred for each sport, regardless of whether the season is completed. There will be no refunds for partial seasons.
Non-Refundable Pay-to-Participate Fees for the 2022-2023 School Year
Fees will be determined for each sport by the total cost of the sport (which varies) divided by the total number of students who make the team up to the maximum allowable number of athletes on the roster. The district fees included in the cost are for items such as coaching stipends, assistant coaching stipends, equipment, league fees, referee fees, estimated partial transportation costs and processing fees. (As districts are still having issues securing interscholastic transportation, thus increasing the cost of the transportation, the district has only included an estimated partial transportation cost in the calculation of each sport fee in order to keep the fees the same).
Fees will be accessed after the student has made the team following tryouts. Fees must be paid within five (5) days of making the team. All fees must be paid in full prior to the student participating in the activity, practice/game or receiving a uniform.
The fee will be accessed per sport. There are no multi-sport discounts or discounts for multiple children participating. Please be advised that our current payment system in not functioning at the moment. Once your student has made the team, students will be required to pay by check made payable to the Shrewsbury Board of Education within the five (5) days after your student has been notified and/or prior to your student attending any practice sessions. No student will be permitted to practice without submitting their payment for that sport. Checks should be submitted to the Business Office. Please be sure to note what student you are paying for (first and last name) when processing your payment. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
** PLEASE NOTE: There could be additional fees for teams that advance past the regular season. Any costs associated with the playoffs will be paid for directly by the students or through fund-raising efforts.
Physicals: All students that will be trying out for the sports programs must still have a physical in order to participate in tryouts.
Interscholastic Sports Program Fees
Disclaimer
-
Please keep in mind when signing your student up for a sport, that all sports seasons will be held in accordance with state and CDC guidelines. There is no guarantee that a full season will he held for any sport. There will be no refunds for partial seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why pay-to-participate?
Due to continued budget constraints, non-mandated district programs such as interscholastic sports and extracurricular programs are not included in the budget.
-
Will we continue to see pay-to-participate in future budgets?
Yes. Since the state put a CAP on the amount that a school budget is permitted to increase from year to year, pay-to-participate will be the only way that the district will be able to continue these programs.
Each year, the Board of Education and the Administration work very hard to develop a budget that maintains programs. Adding or restoring programs in the future will be extremely difficult and unlikely with the current state constraints in place. Programs are reviewed annually.
-
What is included in the participation fee?
The district athletic budget includes costs such as coach’s stipends, assistant coaching stipends, equipment, league fees, referee fees, transportation and processing fees. The district will still be paying for the insurance associated with the program, gym upkeep, field upkeep, maintenance, materials and labor costs specific to athletic playing areas.
Please Note: As districts are still having issues securing interscholastic transportation thus increasing the cost of the transportation, the district has only included an estimated partial transportation cost in the calculation of each sport fee in order to keep the fees the same.
-
Is the fee refundable?
No, once the season starts, the district is obligated to pay the costs that have been approved and incurred for each sport. There will be no refunds.
-
What if the season is interrupted or canceled due to Covid-19 restrictions? Can I expect a refund?
The district will do our best to work within the state and CDC guidelines to schedule and/or reschedule any games/matches that have to be cancelled. Once the season starts however, the district is obligated to pay the costs that have been approved and incurred for each sport regardless of whether the season is completed. There will be no refunds for partial seasons
-
Might there be additional costs beyond the participation fee?
Yes. There could be additional fees for any teams that advance past the regular season. Any costs associated with the playoffs will be paid for directly by the students or through fund raising efforts.
-
My student plays multiple sports. Is there a discount?
As the district cut out all of the expenditures associated with the Interscholastic Sports Program, the cost per student per sport is the cost per student per sport. There are no discounts for students participating in multiple sports or if you have more than one student participating in the same sport or other sports.
-
How will the funds be collected from the students be used?
The funds collected will directly be used to pay for the costs associated with each activity or sport in the district interscholastic sports program.
-
When is the fee due?
The fee will not be assessed until the student has made the team. The fee is due within five (5) days of the student making the team.
-
What will happen if the fee is not paid?
The student will not be permitted to participate in practice or a game and will not receive a uniform unless the fee is paid. Any student who, with the appropriate documentation, qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program will be provided assistance with the fee.
If the fee is not paid within the five (5) day period, the student will not be permitted to play for that sport. At that time, the coach may select another participant or choose to carry a smaller roster.
-
As I am now paying a fee for my student to participate, will my student be guaranteed playing time?
No. The programs will operate in the manner in which they always have been conducted for an interscholastic competitive athletic program, not recreation. Playing time will be at the full discretion of the coach.
-
What is the advisor’s/coach’s involvement in the collection of fees?
The advisor’s/coaches have a limited involvement in the collection of the fees. Please be advise that our current payment system in not functioning at the moment. Once your student has made the team, students will be required to pay by check made payable to the Shrewsbury Board of Education within the five (5) days after your student has been notified and/or prior to your student attending any practice sessions. No student will be permitted to practice without submitting their payment for that sport. Checks should be submitted to the Business Office. Please be sure to note what student you are paying for (first and last name) when processing your payment.
It will be the coach’s responsibility to:
- Fill out the appropriate form with the required information for each student that has made the team and submit it to the the Business Office immediately after the team selection.
- Maintain communication with the Business Office to verify who has paid or not paid the required fee in order to restrict participation unless the fee is paid.
- It is the district’s expectations that the advisor/coach will strictly adhere to and enforce the procedure listed above and not allow the student to participate in the activity, practice or a game or to receive a uniform unless the fee has been paid.
-
How will I know when to pay the fee?
As soon as the coach submits the team roster with the required information, you will either receive an email from the school with the information necessary to process the student fee or be notified by the coach.
All fees must be paid within five (5) days of notification or your student will not be able to participate in the activity, participate in practices/games or receive a uniform.
