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CMS increases athletic fees $25 for 2017-18 school year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Athletic fees for students participating in Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s sports will increase by $25 for the 2017-18 school year.

The increase, the first since the district began charging fees in the 2010-11 school year, will bring the total participation fee to $125 per sport season for high school and $75 per sport season for middle school.

Charlotte resident Chris Ellis learned of the move and questioned why the increase was needed.

“What was the reasoning?” Ellis said. “How did they come up with that $25 for the high school? How did they come up with that per sport?”

CMS said in a statement the fee increase is needed to cover operational costs for athletics, which have risen since 2010-11.

CMS advises students not to pay the fee until they have made a team.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association fall sport season opens July 31, and the middle school athletic season opens Sept. 5.

“If a family had multiple kids in school playing multiple sports, that's a huge increase,” Ellis said.

One parent said he supports the move if the student-athlete shows a genuine interest in playing sports, and if the district offers a breakdown of where that money is going.

“What are some of the other factors that come into play in this?” the parent said. “I want more information.”

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