Students who wish to participate in athletics in the Lyon County School District will have to pay a fee starting next year, officials announced Monday.
The "pay to play" policy is a result of budget cuts.
"Input to the Lyon County School District Budget Advisory Committee overwhelmingly suggested the District explore ways to cut athletic expenses," according to a press release. "As a result, for the next two years, the district is implementing two major initiatives to help reduce the costs of athletics, while still offer the same programs at a high standard of competiveness for our student athletes."
The changes are as follows:
Each athlete will be required to pay a participation fee.
The participation fee will help the district defray transportation costs to and from athletic contests.
The one-time fee will allow student athletes to participate in as many sports as they wish for the entire school year.
High school and middle school fees are:
• High School: $50 per student athlete, $100 maximum per family
• Middle School: $25.00 per student athlete, $50 maximum per family
Schools are encouraged to work with their respective booster clubs and parent teacher organizations to set up scholarship opportunities to help financially stressed families minimize the cost, the press release said.
Additionally, the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association (NIAA) recommended to the state's school superintendents a 10 percent reduction in athletic contests in an effort to help meet budgetary constraints.
Lyon County will implement the reduction for the next two years.
Parents should contact their school's athletic administrator or principal with questions.