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While some neighboring states have taken up such a system, thus far, New York lawmakers and school leaders have resisted, in part, because of the discrimination it could put on certain students.
"Pay to play limits involvement in interscholastic athletics to those students whose families have the financial means to support the student's participation,” Yonkers Superintendent of Schools Bernard Pierorazio said in an emailed statement Monday. “This concept contradicts the Yonkers Public Schools' commitment to providing access and equity to all of its students.”
Currently, the New York State Education Department does not allow public school districts to implement a pay-to-play district policy.
However, the possibility of implementing such a system has been a frequent topic of discussion for many around the state as schools stare down budget deficits and search for ways to cut costs.
If put in place, supporters say the pay to play concept would be a way for local school districts to offset the costs in their athletic department by requiring all student athletes to pay fees to participate in sports. Nearby states such as New Jersey and Connecticut already allow school districts to put such a policy in place.
Assembly member Amy Paulin, who represents Westchester County in the 88th District, has strongly opposed the policy because she says it could put certain students at a disadvantage.
"We have a lot of economically disadvantaged children in our state and in this area," Paulin said. "Pay to play would put a barrier between the rich and poor."
School districts can charge students to play certain sports because of the high costs associated with them, as long as it is approved by the school board. Paulin said that at Scarsdale High School, which is within her district, a fee is required to join the school's ski team.
However, Paulin said putting the pay to play policy into law as an option for all sports would take away from the benefits offered by public school athletics.
Yonkers’ Pierorazio agreed, saying despite a projected $28 million district deficit in 2013-14, the pay to play model wasn’t in line with the district’s goals.
"Although the Yonkers Public Schools faces a looming budget deficit while struggling to reinstate programs and services lost to previous cuts, the district remains committed to providing all students the opportunity to attain individual goals in an equitable educational community," he said.
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