Burlington Schools To Eliminate Pay-To-Participate Fees

Burlington, WA:   The Burlington Edison School district voted to eliminate pay-to-participate fees for students at the July 27th school board meeting.

According to a press memo from the Burlington School Superintendent, Laurel Browning,  The schools are  eliminating the pay-to-participate fees ” in an effort to increase student participation and demonstrate support to our local families.”

Fees were implemented during a downswing in the economy and amid drastic reductions in state funding.  However, upon the passage of the state’s 2015-17 biennial budgets, districts throughout the state have seen increases in funding.

Laurel Browning wrote,  “This is good news. We look forward to seeing more students participating in all of the wonderful co-curricular activities that are offered.”

Having students that attend Burlington Schools, I know this will save each family that has students who participate in these activities, roughly $30.00 per student, per activity.  There are many students who could not participate in these activities, simply because their families could not afford the fees for them to do so.  This should open the doors of opportunity to all students who want to participate in these programs.

Parents are encouraged to help with activities and volunteer to get involved at their local schools as well.  Parent involvement, combined with the ability to participate in the extra activities at no charge,  should have a positive impact on the overall school and programs.

If we Invest our time and energy  in our  youth, we will have a better chance of a successful future as a community.

It is unknown at this time if other area schools will follow suit and eliminate the fees as well.