by David Hill
Editor
The number of students in School District 564, Thief River Falls, participating in activities remains stable in spite of a significant increase in activity fees, and a 20% decrease in activity events.
One of the consequences of having to make budget adjustments has been to increase activity fees, and reduce activity events by 20%. The District’s voter-approved operating levy expired in 2021, and voters rejected operating levies in 2021 and again in 2023. Over the past seven years, the District has made $3.7 million in budget adjustments. Voters approved an operating levy referendum in November (2024).
Monday, Activities Director Chris McLean presented an update to the Board of Education.
Some of the highlights include the volleyball team finishing 19 and 9, the swim team winning at the conference championship, and Curtis Griffin being a state qualifier in cross-country.
McLean said the numbers of students enrolled in fall activities remain strong. There were 50 students in 9-12 volleyball, 62 students in grades 6-8 in volleyball. The cross-country team had 16 varsity athletes and 11 middle school athletes. The swim team (girls) had 14 athletes at the junior varsity level, and 13 athletes at the varsity level.
In football, there were 68 athletes at the middle school, and 56 high school athletes. In trap, there were 18 boys and 9 girls.
McLean said that because fees doubled, he did see an influx in pay later participants, and some payment plans. “We were definitely open to working with individuals. When you have three kids in high school and all playing at varsity sports, it kind of gets you.”
McLean said he didn’t see a change in the number of students enrolling in activities, but he fielded more phone calls regarding fees and overall costs. Of course, there’s a $1,000 family cap. McLean noted they also added fees to other programs in an attempt to maintain them. For instance, FMS Jazz and Starlight Strings, and things like that where they hadn’t charged in the past, they do now have fees as a means of keeping them.
Like the school board members, he said he’s happy the referendum passed, and he’s hoping they can take a look at fees down the road and lessen the blow for families a bit.
Other than that, McLean said the fall season has been really positive.
It’s still too early to get a complete picture of winter activity numbers, but McLean said numbers appear to be strong.
McLean was asked about how the district handles co-ops with other districts.
It’s common in Minnesota schools to form co-ops because they provide students access to sports and activities that might not be available at their school. The co-ops are often formed between neighboring schools.
McLean said the District submits the bills to the other Districts and lets them handle it. He said some passed the increases on to families, and others absorbed the costs. He added that there wasn’t a lot of pushback.
McLean was also asked about transportation issues. He said this fall it had been pretty good. There were only three charters this fall.
Mike Spears, a director on the Board of Education and bus driver, said it’s been pretty good so far. With the drivers they have, and two mechanics not driving regular routes, he said they have them to fill in some afternoon, so regular drivers can take some of the sports trips.
McLean said they are trying to limit charters. He added they are doing some things that will help coaches and advisors make sure transportation can meet their needs. For instance, there’s a master plan, and requirement for lead times.
In his overall update on students, McLean said that the student body and advisors did a tremendous job in regards to homecoming and attendance at activities this fall. He said it was definitely a different atmosphere at volleyball games this fall. He noted that it’s the one event all of students can get to. He said they did a great job. “They definitely walked the line,” he said, adding they’re just having a fun time. For older spectators, he said, it probably isn’t a lot of fun, but the students aren’t doing any harm. He added that he talked to two referees at a first round playoff game and heard from them that the student body was tremendous.