List of pay-to-participate fees for Northeast Ohio youth sports [Video]

CLEVELAND — Over the last 20 years, pay-to-participate fees have become more common in Ohio public schools as districts grapple with budget cuts and changes in state funding. Ohio High School Athletic Association Director of Media Relations Tim Stried tells 3News Investigates the vast majority of schools do have some pay to participate model.

We gathered information from districts in nine different counties around Northeast Ohio. Using sourcing from dedicated athletic websites, published school handbooks, or posted fee structures, we were able to gather pay-to-participate information from more than 50 schools. 

Fee structures vary greatly from district to district. In some instances, families are not required to pay fees at all, thanks to school budgeting or booster support. Others have modest family caps that also incorporate athletic fees for …