Whitman-Hanson School Committee Approves Athletic Fee Increases Amid Budget Crisis
District faces $1.75 million deficit after failed override votes, eliminates 23 positions including middle school interventionists
HANSON - June 18 - The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee voted to increase athletic fees significantly at its June 18 meeting, with the first sport now costing $375, up from previous levels, as the district grapples with a $1.75 million budget deficit following failed override votes in both towns.
The new fee structure sets the cost at $375 for the first sport, $250 for the second sport, and $100 for the third sport, with a family cap of $1,200. Ice hockey fees will increase from $200 to $400 for varsity players only.
"The district's felt a $1.75 million budget hit this year," said Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak. "We've cut the interventionists at the middle level."
The committee approved the fee increases by a vote of six in favor with one opposed, despite concerns from both committee members and community members about the financial burden on families.
Community member Jennifer Roback of Whitman expressed frustration during public comment, noting that for families with multiple student athletes, the fees could exceed what the failed override would have cost them. "Our family may now have to limit our daughter's participation based solely on finances," Roback said.
The fee increases are part of broader budget cuts that have eliminated 23 positions district-wide. Szymaniak confirmed the district has implemented three reductions in force, though he has been able to place other affected staff members in different positions within the district.
"I have never had this type of budget burden before in the 15 years I've been here," Szymaniak told the committee. "This is something that I think we need to do."
The cuts include middle school interventionists, foreign language teachers at the high school level, and middle school librarians. Szymaniak said he hopes the difference between the projected $2 million deficit and the actual $1.75 million can potentially restore some eliminated positions.
Committee member Hillary Kniffen acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while expressing concerns about collection. The district currently has $114,000 in outstanding collections, according to documents presented at the meeting.
"If we're going to be raising user fees, but we're not actually collecting them, then that's not going to fix this budget," Kniffen said.
To address collection concerns, the committee discussed requiring payment plans before students can try out for sports, similar to how physical examinations are required. Athletic Director Bob Rodgers, who was away playing in a poker tournament in Las Vegas, plans to establish a scholarship fund for students who cannot afford the fees.
The override votes failed overwhelmingly in both Whitman and Hanson. Hanson's Town Meeting is scheduled for June 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the school's performing arts center, where 100 people are needed for a quorum to pass the town's portion of the school budget. Whitman approved the school assessment at a June 11 Special Town Meeting.
"If I go into a 1/12 budget, all sports are off the table for September," Szymaniak warned, referring to the state's emergency budget process that would occur if Hanson fails to pass its budget.
Committee member Kara Moser raised concerns about equity, noting that students attending vocational schools are not required to pay comparable fees.
The committee also discussed other potential revenue sources, including student parking fees and premium parking for events. Currently, the district charges $5 for parking tags but does not charge students for parking spaces.
Szymaniak said the district could potentially generate $30,000 annually if it charged students $100 for parking passes, though this would require additional staffing to monitor compliance.
The athletic budget has faced particular scrutiny due to rising costs. Travel expenses have increased significantly due to changes in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's playoff system, which now requires teams to travel greater distances for tournament games.
"We've played at Gateway Regional out in Western Mass. That's a bus trip for a prelim game that you win by 70 goals in field hockey and it's a three hour ride back," Szymaniak explained.
The committee emphasized that unified sports programs, which include both general education and special education students, will continue without user fees.
Committee members expressed hope that the fee structure could be reduced in future years if the district's financial situation improves. "If the budget looks better, we want to reduce those fees," Szymaniak said, relaying a message from Rodgers.
The district graduated 234 seniors, along with 12 community evening school students the previous night.
Other business conducted at the meeting included:
• Approval of school improvement plans for the 2025-26 academic year for all district buildings
• Assignment of committee members to various subcommittees, including operations and capital, policy, and negotiations committees
• Discussed the role of the School Committee Treasurer and the process of reviewing and signing warrants, referring it to the Policy Subcommittee
• Approval of budget line transfers totaling zero net change to balance the current year's budget
• Reappointment of committee members to collaborative representative positions
The committee's next regular meeting is scheduled for August, pending the outcome of Hanson's town meeting on June 25.