Tiverton Schools, Parents Against DiPalma Bill That Would Charge Students For Extracurricular Activities

Tiverton parents and School Committee members expressed opposition toward a bill introduced by Sen. Louis DiPalma (Newport, Middletown, Tiverton, Little Compton) that would allow Rhode Island public school districts to charge students for involvement in extracurricular activities.

The bill, (S 0112), is a response to Rhode Island communities that are struggling to provide funding for activities like sports and band - specifically the Middletown School Committee, which is struggling to close budget shortfalls.

Families that are unable to afford the fee would be able to apply for an exception, said DiPalma.

"The Rhode Island Interscholastic League, when I go up to meetings there, has said that sports and extracurricular activities are an extension of the classroom and I believe that they are part of a well rounded education," said School Committee Chairwoman Sally A. Black. "I wouldn't feel comfortable charging students for sports. I know we say they can get a waiver but I am concerned some people would not apply for different reasons and I wouldn't want to see anyone left on the sidelines."

Black worried that children would lose out on the education that comes outside of the classroom - the camaraderie and self-respect that comes from being a part of a team.

Tiverton parents agreed on Facebook:

Alyssa Carlisle Polofsky (March 7 at 7:15 p.m.) I have a 9 year old in 3rd grade and he tells me all the time about "parents with no money". Even at this age, the kids discuss at school why they can't do things because of money. It would be sad to see kids miss out on these things at school. FYI this year there was a small fee for the music recorders at school but the school would cover it for parents that could not afford it.

Michael Plourde (March 7 at 7:05 p.m.) these politicians are LAZY and need to come up with more creative ways to raise money. Simply PATHETIC!!!

Ronn Galifianakis (March 7 at 5 p.m.) i think that thats a bad idea, for the simple fact that alotta parents can barely make it as it is, now to charge for a child to do something and possibly make something of themselves other than being a dam hoodlum, and schools wanna charge for that...."thumbs down on this idea"

David Cativo (March 7 at 4:50 p.m.) Kids won't be able to participate if they can't afford it and they will give up their talents because of money bad idea.

Testimony on the bill was heard before Senate Education Committee on Wednesday and was not popular, according to a Middletown Patch report. Lawmakers are considering amending the bill to apply only to Middletown, which is struggling to balance school expenditures and also faces federal aid reductions as a result of the sequester.

The pay-to-participate concept is not new. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, it was first utilized during the 1970s when budges began to shrink. School districts across 34 states - including Massachusetts and Connecticut - have a pay-to-participate option available in some, but not all, districts.

In Massachusetts, a pay-to-participate fees range from $25 per sport to $1,450 for ice hockey, according to a LexisNexis report.

“I concur it should be part of budget, but it's not.” DiPalma argued during Wednesday's hearing. "They are cutting, cutting, cutting.” He said if schools are forced to make a decision between core subjects like math over activities such as band, districts will choose math.  

The Tiverton School Committee is still working on its 2013-14 budget and will meet on Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Tiverton High School to discuss expenditures.