‘Pay To Play’ Is Creating Divisions

To the Editor:

I have been following the “Pay to Play” proposals being discussed for the high school without realizing how divisive these fees have become within the parents and the student body. The Board of Education apparently determined that they were in the position of either eliminating programs or charging fees for students to participate in after-school activities. The students assumed that the fees they pay would be returned to the various activities to fund these programs. It now appears that these fees are actually going back to the Board of Education general school fund to be used to close the budget shortfall caused by the rejection of the budgets.

The rationale escapes me. The students who participate in the performing arts and other programs bring a character and life to the school. They contribute to the community spirit and personality of the school. For this commitment they are being told that they must pay –– pay to be a better student –– pay to bring culture and creativity to the school –– pay to give the school a soul –– pay to prepare for life in college and the world.

Perhaps the Board of Education should also look at the incredible amount of donated services they receive from the community and local businesses. We provide mentor programs, ads for the band and the drama club, buy raffle tickets, give free materials to the academic programs, and support for the entire student body. It would not cross our collective minds to ask the Board of Education for a fee to be participating citizens.

The Board of Education and the superintendent of schools should determine how they can be inclusive in the community rather than create an atmosphere which has alienated both students and parents.

Bob Mitchell

Osborne Hill Road, Sandy Hook                                                                                           November 7, 2003