Special Report: Cash for class

Andrea Zainer/Andover mother
"Seven hundred dollars for the bussing fee. I'm paying $250 for my daughter to play sports. Pay $75 for after-school activities."

Sports. Drama. Music. This year in Massachusetts more than two-thirds of public schools now make kids pay to play. And parent are not happy

Pam DeTroia/Andover mother
"We already pay taxes. It should come out of the tax money."

In Winthrop, elementary schoolers are charged $350 if they want to play an instrument.

Middle school actors in Tyngsboro pay $125 to perform in plays.

And Winchester high school athletes pay $275 per sport.

Catherine Boudreau, Mass. Teacher's Association
"it used to be that these were all part of the regular education."

And it's not just about extracirricular activites. Schools are now charging bus fees... Parking fees...

Caroline Gaffney, Andover High Sophmore
"You have to pay like $300 something dollars to park your car."

Even the cost of kindergarten has skyrocketed.

Catherine Boudreau, Mass Teacher's Association
"Some districts charge $4,000."

The Mass. Teacher's Association is worried that by charging for extras, many kids will be left out.

Catherine Boudreau, Mass. Teacher's Association
"You start dividing out the kids between the ones who have and can afford it and the ones who can not afford it."

For example... When Haverhill raised its athletic fees - participation dropped by almost half. And while most schools will waive fees for families who can't afford it, getting them to apply can be difficult.

Glenn Koocher/Mass Assoc. of School Committees
"No one really wants to really acknowledge that they're a low income student."

Glenn Koocher is executive director of the Mass. Association of School Commitees. He says while the situation is unfortunate, parents shouldn't blame the schools.

Glenn Koocher/Mass Assoc. of School Committees
"No school district has ever been excited, enthusiastic or happy about imposing fees. It's something that they've had no alternative but to do cause funding for public education is inadequate."

So what can be done? Experts suggest parents go to the state level, to ask for additional funding.

Catherine Boudreau, Mass. Teacher's Association
"Encourage your legislators to restore the funding to be able to support districts not having to charge fees."

And private groups, like the New England Sports Academy are trying to help as well--by getting businesses to donate funds.

Henry Shterenebarg, New England Sports Academy
"The solution comes with the private sector working with large corporations

But as for this school year, many parents will have no choice but to shell out cash for class.

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