Tempe Union board approves participation fees and modest ticket/pass increases to shore up athletics fund

The Tempe Union High School District governing board voted unanimously May 1 to reinstate participation fees and raise several ticket and pass prices after district staff said the athletics account (Account 11) has a $339,211.64 shortfall.

District athletic director David Huffine told the board the account pays for security, game workers, referees, varsity letters and the video service Hudl and that it has been “in the red” for multiple years. “So currently, we have a balance of negative $339,211.64,” Huffine said as he described options the athletics committee considered to restore the fund.

The committee recommended “Option 1,” a package that would reinstate a $50 participation fee (pre-pandemic level), raise some adult and family passes and modestly increase ticket prices. Huffine presented projected revenue scenarios: raising student passes and ticket prices and reinstating participation fees could, in a best-case estimate, generate $389,732–$422,622 (the committee said 60–70% realization is realistic), which would place the account roughly $50,000–$83,000 in the black under those assumptions.

Board members pressed for protections for low-income families. President Montero said she did not want fees to become a participation barrier and asked about caps and supports. Huffine said the committee discussed a $200 cap tied to tax-credit returns and recommended a reduced/free schedule for eligible families (reduced $25, free $12.50) and payment plans for families who need them. “We focused on [a $200 cap] because... a single-parent family, $200 would be what they could give through tax credit,” Huffine said.

Members asked for clear communications to families about tax-credit options and proposed waivers; Vice President James requested website materials and coach/parent outreach so families understand how tax-credit donations work. Member Barraza praised Option 1 as conscious of both student access and fiscal responsibility: “I personally do appreciate option 1,” Barraza said, noting the tax-credit alignment and cap discussion.

After discussion, President Montero moved to approve the committee’s Option 1; Vice President James seconded. The motion passed 4-0.

What’s next: The district will implement the approved fee and pricing changes with the reduced/free adjustments and payment-plan options described by staff. Board members asked staff to include the fee and support details in public-facing materials and to monitor the account and report back in future briefings.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve participation fees and ticket/pass adjustments (Option 1) — mover: President Montero; seconder: Vice President James; vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.