Windsor Locks Board of Education Approves Extra-Curricular Activity Fee

Serenaded by a quartet of young violinists with percussion provided by Mother Nature, the Windsor Locks Board of Education met Thursday evening at Windsor Locks High School. The members engaged in a philosophical debate over the ultimate responsibility of the district around the issue of fees for extracurricular activities.

Passing by a 3-2 margin, the board instituted a parking fee for high school drivers of $20. In addition, a fee of $20 per activity at the high school and $10 per activity at the middle school will be imposed, with a maximum family fee of $75. The pay for play activity fee was included in the budget, intending to raise some $35, 000 to offset the cost of coaches, transportation and other related expenses.

The motion voted on Thursday night represented a reduced fee schedule from the original proposal and is estimated to raise a little less than $10,000.

Superintendent of Schools Wayne Sweeney presented the scenarios to the board and noted that the addition of the activity fee amounted to a philosophical decision as even with the highest amounts, the money raised was not a significant amount compared to the budget as a whole. Many surrounding towns already have an activity fee, and some are significantly higher.

Members Scott Storms and Andrew Kulas opposed the imposing the activity fee on the grounds that students should have as free an access to activities as possible and that the financial need was not pressing.

Storms noted the district had a $100,000 cushion of savings from resignations that made raising the $35,000 unnecessary for budgetary reasons.

“The activity fee hits the middle class parents the hardest...every dollar counts,”  Storms said, “and I fear it will have a chilling effect on participation.”

“No student would be penalized by an inability to pay,” said Chairwoman Patricia King.

The building principals will have the discretion to waive the activity fee in situations of hardship as they see appropriate.

In other action:

• The board recognized the recipients of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Edudcation leadership awards for the high school and middle school. Samantha Blier and Nicholas Worley were on hand from the middle school and Amy Wetzel accepted from the high school.

• Four students from the North St. School played some pieces on their violins for the board and audience of the meeting. They represent the achievements of a program, sponsored in part by a grant from the POTE (Providing Opportunity Through Education) Foundation, bringing music instruction and instruments to Pre-K and kindergarten students. Ron King of the Windsor Locks Lion's Club presented a donation to the program on behalf of his organization.

• The board approved the first phase of the updates to school facilities required under Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The district completed $165,000 worth of improvements including teachers and student desks, elevators, fire alarm, and bathroom bars. They also voted to proceed with the second phase of improvements at a cost of $268,000.