Marblehead school board doesn’t act on fee structure

MARBLEHEAD – Parents of students in grades 4-12 can relax a little for the moment – the School Committee took no action on a proposal to hike athletic and activity fees.In view of the possible impact on participation, Committee member Rob Dana called the proposals before the committee “a tough call.””You don’t know what you’re getting with any of these scenarios. I want to see one more year with our current rate to see if participation floats back up.”Those fees include $100 a year for Marblehead Village School students participating in drama and the performing arts, $150 a year for Marblehead Veterans Middle School students in performing arts and interscholastic sports – there is a $100 fee for students in other activities and intramurals – and a $340 a year fee for Marblehead High students in performing arts and interscholastic sports. There is a $180 fee for high school clubs that meet weekly and a $90 fee for clubs that meet once or twice a month. There are special rates for families with more than one participating student and the schools are sensitive to payment issues.The fees are used to pay coaches and advisors. In 2005-2006 they generated $208,000, but as of June 28 they had brought in $196,000.Asked to look into the possibility of increasing the fees, School Committee member Patricia Blackmer gave her colleagues a thorough report last week, including three proposed changes.The first would increase fees at the high school by 10 percent, with a 15 percent hike at the middle school and a 25 percent increase at the Village School. Based on last year’s participation those changes would earn $231,250.The second would have charged the high school and middle school arts and sports fees per season, at $175 per season, with flat fees for high school clubs, middle school intramurals and the Village School activities. Based on last year’s participation, that would have earned $230,625.The third proposal would have reduced fees. Based on last year’s participation that would have earned $211,875, but Blackmer said it might be a way to increase revenue by increasing participation.