Athletes may pay more to play in Saugus

SAUGUS – Athletic user fees may hike up to around $700 annually for this academic year, and that has parents of athletes concerned.Hockey and football athletic fees were approximately $400 (per sport per student), while other sports were slightly lower at around $350 for academic year 2014-2015, according to School Committee member Arthur Grabowski.Grabowski said some parents want to form a group to solicit funds, while others want to be rid the user fees completely.Parent Anthony Cogliano had three daughters who were three-sport athletes at Saugus High School: Cassandra, who graduated in 2011 (varsity basketball, soccer and cheerleading); Gabriela, who graduated in 2013 (varsity basketball, soccer and softball) and Sophie, who graduated this spring (varsity field hockey and golf).His son, Anthony, will enter high school this year and plans to play hockey, baseball and golf.Cogliano said he would like to see the user fee entirely funded by the School Committee?s operating budget.?Rising to $700 is crazy,” said Cogliano, a 1984 graduate who played football, hockey and baseball. “Parents aren?t going to be able to afford that, and their kids won?t be able to play. The school administration not funding athletics is irresponsible.”Cogliano said athletic user fees for a three-sport athlete would cost $2,100 per academic year, which he said is unacceptable.Cogliano would like to work with the Boosters? Club, a town organization that generates money for uniforms and scholarships. He and Grabowski both cited Viking Pride Foundation, out of Winthrop, as another organization to with which to partner.Grabowski said a possible solution is for a 501(c)(3) group, which has yet to be formed, to buy one or two buses to transport athletes to games and practices.?It?s an example right now, but Saugus spends about $130,000 just on bus transportation,” Grabowski said. “If the group is able to do that, by all means. More power to them.”Grabowski explained the School Committee isn?t able to raise funds.