Students in Pinellas County middle and high schools will pay a $50 per-sport participation fee beginning in the 2026-27 school year, according to the district’s athletics department. District officials say the fee is intended to help offset rising operational costs and support program expansion.
The $50 participation fee will be implemented only after a student makes a team.
Marc Allision, director of athletics for Pinellas County Schools, said the funds will cover transportation, uniforms, equipment and athletic trainers. He said the district plans to add boys varsity volleyball, girls competitive cheer and ninth-grade volleyball at the high school level. At the middle school level, he said the district is working to develop boys and girls soccer teams and sixth- and seventh-grade volleyball teams.
According to the district’s Athletic Fee Workshop presentation, these are the general operating costs, excluding proposed expansion include:
$2.2 million in stipends for required athletic staff
$715,000 for uniforms
$700,000 to ensure licensed athletic trainers for every school
$525,000 to pay for referees and other officials
$470,00 for game day transportation
$355,000 for general season expenses
The Athletic Fee Workshop presentation said there are 10,500 student opportunities at the high school level and 4,305 student opportunities at the middle school level.
“This decision wasn’t made in a vacuum. We had listened and learned sessions and our communities have asked for it,“ Allision said.
He said the district conducted a climate survey that showed community support for the idea and received feedback from students.
“I think that our community largely supports the idea of giving their children opportunities to experience school in an overwhelmingly positive experience,” Allision said.
The policy includes a $200 maximum cap per family. No student will be turned away for inability to pay, Allison said. He said the district is developing a system to assist families who cannot afford the fee. For example, students who qualify for free lunch would not be required to pay, though final details are still being discussed in upcoming planning meetings.
“We want to make sure that we do not restrict or prohibit any athlete,” Allision said.
He said the purpose of expanding the athletic program is to provide more opportunities for student-athletes while addressing the costs associated with each sport.
“We want to provide student experiences on our campus. They are tied to their teammates and kids that go to school with them,” Allision said. “We’re looking to retain those students and give them opportunities to grow. We recognize the number of students that have tried out for most of our high school and middle school volleyball teams that are being cut because there’s only so many positions.”
He said participation in athletic programs can improve student behavior and increase school engagement.
“Many kids go to school for the idea of playing sports. So we want to continue to expand those opportunities for our children,” Allision said.
Pinellas would join other Florida school districts that charge athletic participation fees. According to the district’s presentation, Hernando County has a $110 high school cap and a $90 middle school cap. Hillsborough County charges a $30 activity insurance fee for middle and high school students. Osceola County has a $35 middle and high school fee with a $35 cap. Pasco County has a $130 individual cap and a $200 family cap. St. Lucie County charges a $50 per-sport fee for middle and high school students.
“Other districts have fees for participation as we see. So it's not an unusual request for families,” he said.
Allision said the fee is to not upset families, but to ensure there will be sport programs and equipment to support the growth of the athletic programs in Pinellas.
“We had many regional teams competing in the region. Currently we have I think, six boys basketball teams competing in the regions. We have one or two girls basketball teams competing in the regions. We have a boys soccer team that's in the final four and I believe they have a very good chance of winning a state title,” Allision said. “We are super excited about the direction our programs are going. We want to continue to provide resources for them and enhance our skill levels.”
Allison said the district’s athletic program has operated under the same structure for about 20 years and that the proposed fee is intended to help sustain and expand offerings.
“Ultimately, when we find a barrier we will find a way to work around and overcome the barrier for our families,” Allision said.
The participation fee is scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 11, 2026. Allision said planning meetings are ongoing as details of the implementation are finalized.
