The school board voted to abolish the fee after receiving information from the district’s attorney.
NEW GLOUCESTER – An activity fee imposed on all SAD 15 students in grades six through 12 was rescinded by the school board Wednesday by a 9-1 vote.
The board’s action to abolish the policy adopted in June arose from information received recently from the district’s attorneys.
The activity fee was earmarked to support the cost of transportation for extracurricular and athletic activities.
Students in grades six through eight paid $25 per year and students in grades nine through 12 were charged $50 annually, whether they participated or not. Scholarships could pay some student fees and those who qualified for free or reduced lunch had a prorated fee.
School board Chairman Dan Maguire said the board was given incorrect information when the policy was adopted.
Maguier said the policy was not legal and could prompt a lawsuit.
“I don’t know if we want to raise a red cape in front of that bull,” he said.
The board ruled that the money would be returned within 30 days.
Board member Amy Wilbur, who chairs the policy committee, said the group did not have sufficient time to come up with a new plan for instituting a pay-to-play policy instead.
Geoff Robbins, director of athletics and student activities, said most pay-to-play programs originate as administrative policy rather than board policy.
By a straw poll, board members mostly agreed that the policy should originate by administration instead.
The activity fee aimed to raise more than $25,000 annually to defray a portion of transportation costs for extracurricular events.
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