The big story: Back in February, Pinellas County school district leaders enacted sports participation fees for the first time.
The goal, officials said, was to offset expenses that far exceeded the revenue generated by the athletics program. When board members questioned whether the cost might prevent some children from joining, superintendent Kevin Hendrick and others said no one would be turned away.
One thing concerned them at the time, though. While they had to provide access to students who attend private or home schooling, it was not clear whether they could charge them too.
Lawmakers clarified that question in their recent session. As part of legislation aimed at improving coaches’ pay, the Legislature also allowed districts to collect “reasonable” athletic participation fees from non-district students, up to $400 per activity.
That’s what the school board is poised to do on Tuesday.
The board’s consent agenda includes an item to establish athletic fees of $400 per sport for private school students and those who receive a Personalized Education Program voucher from the state. The money would go directly into athletics.
District students will be paying $50 per sport, with a maximum of $200 for families.
“The fees help uphold high-quality experiences, invest in modern equipment and program development, and ensure safe, well-organized competitions,” the item states. “Athletic fees are a strategic investment in maintaining and expanding athletic opportunities that foster student achievement, participation, and community pride.”
Hot topics
Taxes: In removing school districts from a referendum to increase homestead exemptions, lawmakers explained that districts can’t be as “nimble and flexible” with their revenue as other local governments. What did they mean by that? • Cape Coral officials are considering implementing a public service tax for the city’s charter school system, as the state moves toward its property tax referendum, Gulf Coast News reports.
Superintendents: Pasco County superintendent John Legg issued endorsements in three school board races. Some people say he should have remained neutral.
Religion in public schools: Florida is one of several states to see religion injected more frequently into public schools as the U.S. Supreme Court changes the interpretation of what’s permissible, the Washington Post reports.
Private schools: An exclusive private school in South Florida is adding a West Palm Beach campus with the financial support of developer Stephen Ross, the Palm Beach Post reports.
Metal detectors: Thirty Duval County elementary schools will have metal detectors installed for the new academic year, the Jacksonville Today reports.
Data centers: Palm Beach County school board members have questions about how a data center proposed near an elementary school will affect students and staff, WPBF reports.
Budgets: Leon County school district leaders say a slight rise in their state budget allocation won’t offset inflation, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. • The Santa Rosa County school district might cut 45 positions from its operating budget to save about $3 million, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
Benefit costs: Orange County teachers say proposed increases to their health insurance deductibles and premiums would devastate their family finances, Spectrum 13 reports.
Number of the day
6,043 — That’s the number of vehicles caught speeding over two days in a single school zone in Tampa. It’s got city leaders discussing expansion of cameras in school zones, despite some apprehension about how the collected data might be misused. Read more from Florida Politics.
Quick quiz
A Pinellas County volunteer high school football coach is fighting to get his position back. Why did the district let him go?
a) He failed stricter background check rules
b) The head coach wanted an assistant who works at the school
c) Players didn’t get along with him
Find the answer in this story from WFTS.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
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