Students will not have to pay participation fees next school year

SHELTON — Students will not have to pay to participate in athletics or other extracurricular activities next school year.

Mayor Mark Lauretti confirmed Thursday that the city would cover those “pay-toparticipate” costs, the collected funds which help offset costs in the annual Board of Education budget.

“I have never believed in it,” said Lauretti, historically a staunch opponent of the pay-to-participate requirement that has become the norm in school districts throughout Connecticut.

“These programs, athletics and the extracurriculars, are just as much a part of learning as what happens in the classroom,” Lauretti said.

Board of Education Chair Kathy Yolish praised Lauretti’s commitment to aiding those families with students participating in athletics or other school activities.

“With the continually rising cost of living for families, this commitment provides relief and will not keep students from the opportunity to participate,” Yolish said.

“As this program enhances the social-emotional component of learning, it is with great appreciation that we accept this support from the city.”

The Board of Education last week approved an $80.4 million budget, which includes a $5.3 million, or more than 7 percent, hike from the present year’s number. The school budget is now before Lauretti, who is at present formulating the overall city proposal.

“The cost of education is escalating everywhere. It’s not just in Shelton,” Lauretti said. And I feel it is because school boards do not manage money well, because they do not need to. They can always come back to the city and ask for more if they need it.”

Lauretti added that covering this pay-to-participate cost will help ease what he calls an unnecessary financial burden on families.

The Board of Aldermen last September approved $250,000 to reimburse parents who were paying a fee for their children to participate in athletics during the 2022-23 school year. The money is coming from American Rescue Plan funds.

At that point, Superintendent Ken Saranich stated parents would still have to pay the necessary fees to participate in athletics but would receive a receipt from the Board of Education that would then be presented to the city for reimbursement.