RI says schools may not charge students for sports

PROVIDENCE—Rhode Island’s education department has told a school district that it cannot charge students a fee to play sports.

North Smithfield school authorities proposed the fees last month as an alternative to eliminating its middle school and junior varsity sports teams. The proposal sought to raise about $57,000 for the financially struggling town.

But Deborah Gist, the state’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said in an advisory opinion Thursday that state law does not allow school committees to charge fees for school services, except for in limited circumstances.

Gist said research shows that school fees discourage students from participating in activities and put stress on students and their families.