Goodrich-If you’re playing sports in the Goodrich School District, keep your cash handy.
The Goodrich school board decided athletics was an area that still needs outside financial assistance at their Dec. 18 meeting, voting to modify the district’s current pay-to-play program.
The measure passed by a 5-2 margin, with Trustees Ken Rappuhn and Duane Engleman opposing the move.
The modified program still calls for students who are playing in their first sport of the year to pay a $100 fee. However, those students playing any additional sports during the school year do not have to play any additional fees.
Previously, those playing in a second sport paid $50 for that sport, and those playing in a third sport paid $25 for that sport.
‘We’re in better shape now,? Goodrich School Board Trustee Michael Thorp said. ‘We can afford to do this.?
Goodrich School Board Trustee James Bertrand, who voted in favor of keeping pay-to-play, said with the district’s current financial situation, athletics is not an area where the district should be spending additional money.
‘In all honesty, I fundamentally don’t have a problem with pay-to-play,? he said. ‘I have children that play sports here, and we pay all the time for them to play (between high school and other athletic teams).?
Another reason Bertrand voted in favor of the move was his intent to push for drug testing for athletes. He said it would make more sense for the district to pay for a potential drug testing program out of the pay-to-play funds as opposed to tapping into the district’s general fund.
During the meeting, a citizen spoke and told the board she ended up paying the fee, but it was difficult for her to do so.
In response, Bertrand said in the event a student could not afford the cost to play, the district would pick up the cost for that student.
Goodrich resident Gerald Eisinger has two daughters, Sara and Jennifer, currently playing in high school athletics at Goodrich. Sara, a sophomore, plays volleyball and girls soccer, while Jennifer, a freshman, plays volleyball and girls track.
He said he is in support of pay-to-play in Goodrich.
‘Athletics is a big part of school, but it’s very expensive,? Eisinger said. ‘I don’t think the cost (for pay-to-play) is so extreme that it prevents us from taking part in athletics.?
Other school districts in Genesee County may follow Goodrich’s lead and institute similar programs, depending on their future budget situations.
Genesee Intermediate School District Superintendent Thomas Svitkovich said the state is considering a possible reduction of $150 per student, making pay-to-play potentially a viable option for school districts in the county.
‘I can see more districts looking at that,? he said. ‘No one wants to do it, but with declining enrollment, decreased resources, and an dramatic increase in costs, we’re constantly forced for ways to reduce costs for other projects so we can maintain our required educational programs.?
Svitkovich, who worked for 29 years in the Westland school district prior to joining the GISD, said his former district implemented a similar program in the 1980s due to severe budget cuts. He said even with pay-to-play programs in place, students should not have to worry about coming up with enough money to participate in high school athletics.
‘My own experience is normally it all works out,? he said, adding that booster clubs for various districts sometimes step in and pay for students who are otherwise unable to pay.
Other school districts in the surrounding areas are in different situations as far as pay to play is concerned.
Brandon Schools Superintendent Tom Miller said the district currently has two sports that are self-funded, swimming and hockey, but there are no other sports that fit into the pay to play category. However, he did say student-athletes pay a $50 trainer fee at the beginning of the year.
He said the district does not plan on instituting such a program at this time, but added the district will be reviewing their budget situation in the future to see if any additional fees need to be implemented.
Likewise, Flushing Community Schools Superintendent Barbara Goebel said her district, as well as all the others in the Big Nine Conference, does not currently have a pay to play program. However, she said as the Flushing district looks at potential budget cuts, that would be one area they would consider.
She said in the event pay to play fees are needed in the Flushing district, she would recommend the implementation of a stipend for all extracurricular activities, not just athletics.
Staff Writer Laurel Droz contributed to this report.