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<div><FONT face=Arial>Is this what is next for the free education here in Moscow when the levy fails again?</FONT></div>
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By Sue Kiesewetter<br>
Enquirer contributor</div>
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FAIRFIELD - High school athletes will have to pay $630 per sport unless voters approve an operating levy Aug. 3. </div>
<div>That's the worst-case scenario outlined Thursday to Fairfield educators by leaders of PACE - Promoting Activities for a Complete Education. The group was given the go-ahead to run a pay-to-participate program in Fairfield schools last month. </div>
<div>All after-school activities were eliminated for the coming school year after a March levy defeat. </div>
<div>"We're hoping we're not in business Aug. 4,'' said Tom Spenceley, a PACE steering committee member. "We're strictly a safety net. Our primary goal is to assist with the levy effort." </div>
<div>Voters will be asked Aug. 3 to approve a 6.9-mill operating levy that would raise $9.1 million annually. Taxes would increase $211 a year on a $100,000 house. If approved, the pay-to-participate program would be dropped and all money collected to that point would be refunded. </div>
<div>Spenceley said the cost for all after-school activities for grades K-12 is about $965,000. Most of that will come from participation fees. About a dozen fund-raisers are planned to help defray the costs and to establish a $100,000 fund to assist students who can't afford the fees. </div>
<div>Grants of up to 80 percent would be available to students based on family size and income. </div>
<div>Fees for middle school athletes were set at $430. Those in marching band will pay $350. The cost for other middle and high school activities and clubs was set at $260 per activity. </div>
<div>Students in grades 1-6 will pay a flat $20 that allows them to participate in whatever activities are offered. </div>
<div>No refunds will be given unless a student didn't make a team during tryouts, Spenceley said. Students who are injured, quit the activity, transfer out of the district, don't play much or fail to meet academic eligibility won't be given refunds. </FONT><FONT face=arial size=2></div>
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