Glen Rock BOE Mulling Changes to Student Activity Fee

The Glen Rock Board of Education is considering making large-scale changes to its student participation policy likely to generate controversy.

According to school board member Rona McNabola, the board is expected to vote at its next meeting on moving from a student participation fee policy to implementing a student activity fee policy for all middle an high schoolers.

"The recommendation that came from the administration is that the proper way to do it would be an activity fee that you collect from everybody," McNabola said. "The idea being two purposes for the ease of record keeping; the other is we would like all of our kids to participate in something."

The revised resolution says the fees partially "defray" the costs of the activities. One fee pays for all activities per pupil, to be paid annually.

Between 80 and 90 percent of students already participate in extracurriculars, McNabola said, adding that it could spur more interest in students to even create their own clubs. 

The administration has not determined a prospective fee for a new policy. Participating middle school students currently pay a flat $100, and high school students pay $200.

Going forward, the fee would likely cost less. The cap for families with multiple participating students would be removed, McNabola said.

The board meets next on March 21.