Pursuant to the action of the Board of Education in adopting the 2016-17 budget on June 13, 2016, Harford County Public Schools will charge high school students fees to participate in interscholastic athletics and drama productions. The fees are as follows:

• $100 per season to participate in any high school Junior Varsity (JV) or Varsity sport. See Payment Cap.
• $100 for a student’s performance in as many productions as his or her school stages during an academic year. See Payment Cap.

Payment Cap: A student who participates in two or more sports seasons is capped at paying for two seasons. In addition, a student who participates in one sport and one or more drama productions is also capped at paying $200 total, that is, $100 for each of those two activities. The maximum any student would be required to pay in a given year would be $200. The cap on fees applies to individual students. There is no family cap.

To make a payment, visit mySchoolBucks.com. All payments must be made via credit card or e-check online. Payments should not be made prior to release of the official roster for any given sport or cast list for a drama production, as refunds will not be made available. Fees are nonrefundable under any circumstances, including injury and ineligibility.

Waivers: A fee waiver is provided to students who have been approved for Free and Reduced Meals (FaRMS).

• Student approved for FaRMS do not need to submit a waiver form. An approved application is required for each school year.
• Click here to access the FaRMS application.
• Waivers are maintained in strict confidence by the principal or his/her designee. Athletic team coaches and drama production directors are not notified as to whether the participation fee requirement was met by payment of the fee or by a FaRMS waiver.

Athletics Participation Fee Payments

• For the 2016-17 school year, the dates on which payment is due:
• Fall Season – September 2, 2016, except for golf, which will be due on August 23, 2016
• Winter Season – December 5, 2016
• Spring Season – March 21, 2017
• All team members are required to pay the fee by the due date. Failure to pay will result in holding that participant out of contest(s) until payment is rendered.
• Any student not meeting their financial obligation will be notified by an administrator.
• The Principal or designee will notify the coach that the student is ineligible until payment is received or FaRMS application is approved.
• The payment of the fee is required of all students who are members of a team roster; students are not guaranteed playing time by virtue of paying the fee.
• Students who participate by providing a service to the team (managers, statisticians, and announcers) will not be charged the fee to participate.

Drama Production Participation Fee Payments

• All cast list members are required to pay the fee one week after the cast list becomes available. Any student who still has a financial obligation one week after the official cast list will be suspended from the rehearsals.
• Any student not meeting their financial obligation will be notified by an administrator.
• The Principal or designee will notify the drama production director that the student is ineligible until payment is received or FaRMS application is approved.
• Students who serve in the pit band or orchestra, on the tech crew, on the stage crew, as lighting or sound techs, or as student directors do not have to pay the fee. Only students who appear on stage in a performing role will be obligated to pay.