Pay to play fees on the rise in Tolland

TOLLAND, Conn. (WTNH) -- They're already paying more to play sports than any other school district in the state, and now student athletes in Tolland could be paying even more.

Right now in Tolland it costs $275 per athlete per sport with no limit. Now the board wants to raise it $50, so the Olson family, which now pays $2,475 will pay nearly $3,000 to keep their kids on the field.

"There were a bunch of really good track runners last year who couldn't play because it's indoor and outdoor," said Jessica Olson, "and they had to choose between which on they wanted to do."

As you walk into the high school there are three different trophy cases showing hundreds of awards, and the parents and athletes say they don't feel supported by the Board of Education.

"It's a lot of money because we have to put them through college too," said Barb Olson, "so we are kind of getting hit on both ends."

The Olson family is not alone, many families in Tolland have more than one child playing more than one sport, playing thousands of dollars in fees.

On Wednesday, News 8 cornered the head of the Board of Education looking for answers.

"There is a lot of anger out there. I talked to the Olson family, three kids each play three sports and they feel they are getting cut," said News 8's Bob Wilson.

"Well I can understand that frustration," said Andy Powell, Board of Education Chairman. "We do have to look at the entire spectrum, it's not just the athletics, it's academics."

Click here to check out the state Office of Legislative Research's February report on Pay to Play fees by schools across the state.