By Megan Managan

As a trade-off to saving teachers following a $7.7 million budget deficit for the upcoming year, the Lake Washington School District was forced to increase program fees to help make up the difference.

Like many districts around the state, Lake Washington made drastic cuts across the board earlier this year and was prepared to tell teachers they may lose their jobs. However, Lake Washington found a way to avoid teacher loss and larger class sizes by increasing fees for various programs, while making cuts to others.

The biggest change will be in a rise in cost for students to participate in sports.

Fees will jump over 200 percent for high school students when athletic fees are increased from $75 to $275 for all sports, and increase 36 percent at the junior high level, from $35 to $105.

Kathryn Reith, the director of communications for the district, said for the most part people have been understanding about the increases. She said there has been concern voiced for students who may not be able to afford the fees, but its often backed by the enthusiasm of the schools and booster club fundraising to help give students money so they can participate in sports.

On the whole, Reith said, people have understood why the district is increasing fees, but in general wish the situation was different.

“As with any change there are a few people who are opposed to it even in this situation, mostly because they are concerned for students who may not be able to participate in sports and could lose interest in school as a result,” said Reith. “But for the most part, people seem to recognize the difficult tradeoffs we have had to make.”

Brent Kawaguchi, the athletic director at Eastlake High School, said he expects the increase to have some effect on student turnout, especially for those sports which traditionally have a large turnout, like cross country or track and field. He said many times students participate for the social aspect, but with increased fees he expects numbers to drop. He added that Eastlake hopes to find a way to provide scholarships for students who want to play sports but can’t afford it, but right now everything is up in the air. Kawaguchi said Eastlake would likely ask booster clubs first for help.

“The problem is we ask them for so much as it is,” said Kawaguchi. “It’s going to be a burden on the number of kids who turn out.”

Scott Nelson, the communications director for the Eastlake Wolves Football Association, said spring football registration was strong and that he is unaware of any students who are not participating strictly because of increased fees. Nelson said the group generally focuses fundraising efforts on helping underwrite the cost of coach training, player development and other non-budgeted expenses, as well as helping with things like camp costs or weight room equipment.

John Hill, the Wolves Football Association president, said while the group hasn’t made fundraising plans to specifically deal with the fee increases, they recognize the hard economic times and that there may be requests for assistance.

“As we have always done in the past we will review any hardship requests that come up on a ‘case by case’ basis and make determinations of levels of assistance that may be available within our budget,” said Hill. “It is our intention that no student player be left out of our football program due to the lack of ability to pay student athletic fees.”

Besides raising athletic fees the district looks to shrink the budget gap by raising approximately $700,000 through increasing the all-day kindergarten fees and will require a new fee for transporting students once a week for the gifted enrichment program. The operation of the pool at Juanita High School will be contracted out, according to the district, which will help save the district $150,000. The district has said if a contractor for the pool cannot be found it will be closed.

For more information visit the Lake Washington School District Web site at www.lwsd.org.