W. Bloomfield ups pay-to-play fees for district athletes

The West Bloomfield School District has announced an increase in the pay-to-play fee for high school and middle school athletes for the 2011-12 school year.

This year, a fee of $100 for a third sport will be in place for a high school athlete, while the third-sport fee will be $50 for a middle school athlete.

Middle school athletes will also be charged a $50 fee if they wish to play a fourth sport.

The fees of $300 for one sport for a high school student and $200 for a middle school student will remain in place for a second year, along with the $150 second-sport fee for a high school student and $100 for a middle school student.

In another move, the pay-to-play family cap has been increased from $600 to $800 for the upcoming school year.

West Bloomfield High School Athletic Director Pat Watson said that pay-to-play fees are cut in half for families who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

“Our district was in a deficit last year. Pay-to-play goes nowhere (close) to covering even half the cost of running athletics,” Watson said.

In addition, only one-way bus transportation will be provided during the week for student-athletes, with the exception of football and track. No bus transportation will be provided on weekends.

“We’ve done this for about five or six years,” Watson said. “I hope things get better.”

Families can pay the fees through the West Bloomfield High School Athletic Office. In addition, a link is provided online at westbloomfield.k12.mi.us under the West Bloomfield High School’s athletics site. Click on the “pay to participate” section to pay the fees online.