School board approves changes to pay-to-play fees for sports

On a 4-2 vote Monday, with board member Greg Johnson absent, the Tecumseh School Board decided to restructure its pay-to-play fees for middle school and high school sports. Board members Steven Linn and Roger Hart were the two dissenting votes. Instead of having a one-time fee, the new pay-to-play fee schedule is tiered: At the middle school, one sport is $70 while two or more sports is an additional $40; and at the high school, one sport is $100, and two or more sports is an additional $65. If participation stays the same, Tecumseh Public Schools (TPS) Supt. Kelly Coffin said there would be a $6,000 to $8,000 loss of revenue in the athletic budget. Coffin added that the district would collect data on revenue and participation and revisit the pay-to-play fees schedules next year. Board president Edward Tritt said if more people participate, revenue could break even or see a surplus over the expected lost income. Board member Debbie Johnson-Berges raised concerns that if more students participate in sports it could raise costs of equipment and coaches. “I’m willing to do anything to reduce the fees,” said Hart. “I think I’ve been on record that I’d like to get rid of them completely.”Board member Jim Rice said the estimated lost revenue is a very small part of the athletic department’s budget.“I know the old adage: A million here, a million there and sooner or later you’re talking about real money,” Rice added. “I understand that. In perspective to everything, I don’t see this turning out to be a negative.” Linn asked if the decrease in revenue would lead to cuts in the athletic budget, to which Coffin said “not at this time.” “I think it’s a philosophical discussion,” Coffin said, adding the topic would be added to the board retreat on August 11. At the May 25 regular school board meeting, it was brought up that pay-to-play fees account for $74,000 in revenue for the athletic department.Ticket prices for Tecumseh athletics remain unchanged. Adults and non-Tecumseh students are charged $5. TPS students and senior citizens are $2. Children in kindergarten or younger are free of charge to attend. Season passes are $150 for the year. The rest of the Monday board meeting was filled with the approval of several yearly contract extensions. One such contract was the Professional Educational Services Group (PESG) master contract and agreement for two-party substitutes and salaried staff. Both were unanimously extended for one year. One change the contract between TPS and PESG allows TPS to directly employ substitutes when there is a need, which is something the school district could not do under the old contract. Coffin said PESG knew it was not good in the county and that TPS was looking at other providers. Salaried staff under PESG include non-staff athletic coaches. The board also approved its school nurse contract with ProMedica. The agreement is for one year with the option to renew. The pay is $42.72 per hour and will not increase for two years. The nurse is caped at 15 hours a week and works throughout the district where there is the most need. For the upcoming school year, food prices remain the same after receiving approval from the board. Elementary and middle school lunches are $2.50 while a high school lunch is $2.75. Milk is 45 cents. Breakfast is $1.25. The reduced price for breakfast is 30 cents while the reduced price for lunch is free or 40 cents based on need. The school board also approved the elementary and middle school handbooks.