Pay to play benched in Bedford schools

BEDFORD — The Bedford County School Board on Thursday voted against imposing fees on students participating in extracurricular activities in the next school year.

Board member Dave Vaden referred to the proposal to charge $25 per student for a sport or activity a “nickel-and-dime” strategy he didn’t support.

Other school board members said the school division was hurting with cuts in its upcoming $98.8 million budget, but that families are hurting also. Chairwoman Debbie Hoback said she was concerned with adding hardships on parents in already difficult times.

Gary Hostutler, the Forest district representative on the board and the only board member to voice support, said the fees are “pretty modest.” The measure — often referred as “pay to play” — was projected to generate less than $60,000 to help the school division absorb cuts in transportation and maintenance involved in the activities.

“This is just the reality of the situation we’re in,” said Hostutler, who voted in favor of the fees. “This is the new normal ... we’re in a difficult time. I think we have to move forward in this next year.”

Vaden said he was concerned that the proposed policy did not include a provision for families with multiple children involved in numerous activities. The activities are an integral part of the division’s schools and the fees could have badly hurt the high schools, said Mickey VanDerwerker, the board’s city of Bedford representative.

“I understand our budget crunch,” said Joy Wright, vice chairwoman. “I’m torn because I can see both sides.”

In another related vote, the board approved a set of extracurricular budget standards to help mitigate costs in other areas.

Also Thursday, the board received a staff report on a planned fee increase for drivers’ education starting in August but it did not take action. Increasing the fee for students from $100 to $150 would allow the division to better administer the program due to recent staff changes, said Mac Duis, director of instruction.

Board members said they did not have enough information Thursday and agreed to receive more information on the subject.

In other business:

- The board voted to appoint Kim Halterman as the new principal at Thaxton Elementary School. Halterman is acting principal at Goodview Elementary School and served as assistant principal there since 2007. She replaces Judy Reynolds, who is retiring. Also, the board appointed Susan Mele as the new principal of Stewartsville Elementary School. Mele is currently assistant principal of Bonsack Elementary School in Roanoke County. Superintendent Douglas Schuch said the new principals start July 1.

- Several parents at Staunton River High School protested the board’s recent decision to appoint Assistant Principal Scott Simmons as principal of Forest Middle School. They said Simmons was a pillar for the Staunton River community and they wanted him to stay. Michelle Morgan, Forest Middle School’s principal, will take over as the high school’s principal July 1.

- Board members approved the transfer of $85,000 from a category of instruction in the current 2009-10 budget to absorb legal costs that were over-budgeted. The school board resolution will be submitted to the Bedford County Board of Supervisors for its approval.