Press Release Sparks Community Debate on Student Athlete Fees
- Grace Hecht
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Bullhead City, AZ – In a recent press release, the superintendent of the Colorado River Union High School District (CRUHSD) urged local charter schools to collaborate in eliminating pay-to-participate fees for student athletes. Superintendent efforts directed at Bullhead Area Chamber Director Bo Hellams and Mohave County Superintendent John Warren have raised eyebrows and prompted varying responses from the community.
There are four local charter schools currently offering sports programs: Academy of Building Industries (AOBI), Young Scholar's Academy (YSA), Desert Star Academy (DSA), and Mohave Accelerated Learning Center (MALC).
Historically, AOBI has maintained a no-fee policy for sports throughout its 20 year history.
“We have never had fees to play sports. We have always believed in leveling the playing field for all students. There are also no lab fees, material fees. We have no fees for anything the students do.”
Stated Superintendent Jean Thomas.
Young Scholar's Academy takes a similarly supportive stance, with founder Tonnie Smith stating,
“We pay for everything. We don’t charge a student anything. We will even pay for extras if a student can’t afford it, such as basketball shoes or volleyball shorts. Even on away trips, we buy an athlete dinner if they don’t have money.”
Their robust commitment ensures no athlete misses out due to financial constraints.
In a recent development, Desert Star Academy announced it would no longer charge fees for student athletic participation, a decision communicated directly to parents just two weeks ago.
Conversely, Mohave Accelerated Learning Center retains a fee structure, citing the belief that a financial investment leads to increased student commitment. MALC Superintendent Casey Mulligan emphasized that support is available for families facing financial challenges and that no student that wants to play would be unable to because of lack of funds.
“Many parents and teachers contribute their Arizona tax credit money to assist students in covering the fees,”
he stated.
In addition to school sports, the Bullhead City area offers numerous non-school sports programs such as Torros Football, Mohave Roadrunners Track and Field, and Barracudas Swim Team. These organizations, while not free, provide flexible options and community support to encourage participation among local youth.
There is even an entire organization that helps local students with any sports fees that might arise
Here is what their website states
Here is the link to their website https://www.tristatetraces.com/
The release's approach has not gone unnoticed, with some community members questioning the superintendent's choice to send out a press release rather than reach out directly to the charter schools. Critics argue that this communication method has potentially caused confusion and division within the community.
As the community navigates these discussions, many residents emphasize the importance of working collaboratively to enhance educational opportunities for all students.
"People have the freedom to choose where their children go to school," a concerned local resident commented. "As a community, we should strive to make all our schools the best they can be for every student."
Together we Make Bullhead Better.
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