Dearborn Public Schools Reinstate 'Pay to Participate' Fees for 2013

In the face of budget cuts and rising costs, Dearborn Public Schools officials have decided to reinstate the district's "play to participate" fee for students beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.

According to Abe Mashour, coordinator of athletics for DPS, the district suspended the fee for the 2012-2013 school year but is now facing a $150,000 budget deficit.

"Ultimately we would like to do away with 'pay to participate,' but with less money coming in from the state, we need to supplement those funds as best as we can," he said.

Mashour said rates have not yet been determined, however he is considering a fee schedule the district implemented in 2011.

The plan calls for elementary students to pay $35 per academic club; $45 per middle school club, $75 for middle school sports; and $100 for participation in both sports and clubs.

High school athletes would pay $75 per academic club, $150 for sports, or $200 for both sports and clubs.

The pay to participate fee will be capped at $350 for families with multiple students enrolled in the district.

Mashour said participation in sports and extracurricular activities has remained relatively high despite the fees.

"(Participation) varies by the sport and the school," he said. "Overall we stay pretty consistent year over year with the number of our student athletes."