Dunlap board reopens activity-fee discussion; administration to bring recommended fee schedule before winter

Dunlap CUSD 323 board members and administrators discussed the district’s student activity fee structure and asked staff to prepare an updated fee schedule for board review in December.

The discussion focused on whether to raise the flat participation fee — currently $90 — back to a previously considered $100, and whether a single flat fee or differentiated fees by sport or activity would be more equitable. District staff advised that course fees (for classes such as accounting or art) are separate from the participation/activity fee and would remain distinct.

Administrators cautioned that tracking tiered fees by number of activities or by sport would be logistically difficult and recommended a flat across-the-board increase if the board decides to change the amount. Board members and staff noted substantial variance in costs among activities: examples cited in the meeting included dance programs with about $8,900 in expenses and football programs generating higher ticket revenue. The packet included seven years of data compiled for the board; staff said the combined activity revenue is roughly in the $600,000–$650,000 range.

Board members also noted that only a minority of conference schools charge a comparable activity fee and asked staff to include peer comparisons in upcoming recommendations. Several board members said they are cautious about raising fees that could discourage student participation; others argued families should share more of higher-cost activity costs.

Staff described the next steps: present any proposed modifications to the fee schedule to the board in time to incorporate changes into the December course catalog and registration system if the board elects to change the fee for the next school year. No motion or vote was taken at the meeting; the item was for discussion and direction to staff.