Saugus agrees to decrease athletic user fees

SAUGUS – The School Committee made a final decision to reduce athletic user fees by $35 for every user fee paid in the 2013-2014 school year.With its vote Thursday, the spring fees will all be lowered by $35 in each respective sport, and fall and winter athletes will be cut a $35 check by the town for every fee they paid during their seasons. The committee added that for multi-sport athletes and families, only one check with the amount for every fee paid will be issued for a household to cut down on how many checks are sent out, per the suggestion of committee member Arthur Grabowski.The $35 figure was determined by adding fall and winter participation to the anticipated signups for the spring season and dividing it by Town Meeting?s allocation of $30,000 from the school?s supplemental budget.?It?s the most equitable way of doing it for all students,” said Chairman Wendy Reed.Committee member Corrine Riley was concerned that the sign-ups for spring sports, scheduled for March 3, may be higher than anticipated with more students participating because of the reduced rate. Grabowski assured her that even if the department had to transfer an extra $500 to $1,000 to cover the budget, “it would not be too much.”?If it increases participation for spring sports, then that?s what the intended outcome would be,” said Grabowski. “Hopefully the result is greater participation of spring sports. It?s unfortunate it wasn?t done in August.”On issuing the rebates, Grabowski added, “it will require work from everybody, but it?s the most equitable way.”Committee member Vincent Serino said after running the numbers, it appeared that there was “a little wiggle room” even if participation turned out to be higher than anticipated.The costs for the spring sports with reduced rate will be as follows: baseball, softball, boys and girls tennis, lacrosse, and boys and girls outdoor track will be reduced from $375 to $340. Middle school track will be reduced from $250 down to $215.The committee voted unanimously on the motion, with the absence of Vice Chairman Jeannie Meredith. The committee decided only to reduce athletic fees and not that of the performing arts activities because those rates have not been raised in about four years, reported Reed.Grabowski also suggested the checks be distributed at the schools to cut down on the expense of mailing the checks, but Superintendent Michael Tempesta and other members worried that the checks would not make it home to the person who paid them because students may misplace them.Reed said the checks will most likely be mailed out in a few weeks, once the town, superintendent and athletic director can organize what each family paid.