KUNA, Idaho — Over the years, pay-to-participate in school sports has been adopted by a string of school districts in the Gem State.
In the Treasure Valley, five school districts have pay-to-participate, formally called "athletic fees" for high schools ranging from $50 to $110. Middle school athletes pay less than that.
However, in Kuna, the board of trustees met on Tuesday night and considered raising the athletic fees price for the second time in the 2024 school year. The proposal was for a 42.5% increase, setting the price at $150. It did not pass.
The proposed increase, would have made Kuna have the highest athletic fee in the Treasure Valley over West Ada at $110.
On Aug. 13, Kuna's school board approved an increase to their athletic fee by 5%. The price went from $100 for high school sports to $105 for high school sports. The increase came after a supplemental levy did not pass in May. Followed with budget cuts in June.
The increase of rates would also help with a $337,000 deficit the district has for "sports stipends and transportation."
During Tuesday's meeting, public comment was held, and parents were against the second increase.
KTVB spoked with Kuna mother, Melinda Tucker prior to the meeting. She has a daughter who is a multi-sport athlete in the Kuna School District.
"I honestly could see it being the demise of High School Sports for Kuna," Tucker said. "Kuna's medium living out here is definitely not Eagle or another place. And so, for them to take the fee and hike it up so high is very concerning."
Other parents and students who attended the meeting felt the same.
"If prices get raised that's going to cut off a lot of opportunities for us," a Kuna Middle School athlete said in the meeting.
"If you start charging those fees, kids will leave the district, because I will leave the district," a Kuna parent said in the meeting.
Tucker said the reality is possibly limiting her daughter to one sport.
After public comment, Board President Kim Nixon asked the district's Chief Finance Director, Elmira Feather, if the rate at a $105 would be enough to cover the deficit.
Feather said state money and the current athletic fee of $105 would take care of a big chunk of the deficit.
There is a chance the new supplemental levy the district will ask voters for in November passes, it could help out other needs of the district, and free up money in the general fund to go towards sports stipends and transportation.
It's unclear if the rates and state funding will cover the deficit entirely, because it's unknown how many students will end up signing up for sports teams this year and how much team fundraisers will raise.
The board voted Tuesday to keep the rate at $105, for now. Audience members cheered in reaction to the decision.
The five school districts' athletic fees are below:
- West Ada $110
- Kuna $105
- Caldwell $100 (required for the first time this year)
- Middleton $80
- Emmett $50
Athletic fees are not the only fees players have to pay
On top of athletes paying an athletic fee, they also need to pay for associated student body (ASB) cards and spirit packs to play.
The total about of fees all together, varies by district and sport.
For Eagle High School Football, the total is around $1,000.
- $44.50 ASB card
- $110 Athletic Fee
- $760 Spirit Pack (hoodie, shorts, practice jersey, and two season passes for home games)
- $120 for two $60 tickets to the football fundraising gala
While over in Kuna - it's less expensive, around $240.
- $42 ASB card
- $105 Athletic Fee
- $100 Spirit Pack