Taxation without representation; pay to play fee decimates drama program

At the onset of the pay-to-play program, only athletes were required to pay to participate.  However, after a decision was made by the Board of Education on May 13, 2016, any student involved in drama is now also required to remit a pay-to-perform fee.

   As a result, participants in after-school drama programs must pay a fee for every show they participate, and those who work behind the scenes in areas like tech and costuming will be exempt.

    The cost to participate caused a wide range of reactions from students, teachers, and community members. Beginning in June, people who opposed to the change in policy decided to protest and voice their concerns and displeasure. On June 26th, more than 50 Harford County students, teachers and even former school board members showed up at a protest in Bel Air. Protestors that evening had hoped the board would reconsider the new policy, however, in a 5-3 vote by the board, the change remained in tact.

 Since then, the fight continues. Sophomore Abbi Vaughan is planning on “attending all of the protests and speaking out as a member of the SGA, as well as talking to Harford County Board members.”

   John Schratwieser of Maryland Citizens has gotten involved in the effort to bring awareness to this issue. On October 10th, those opposing the pay-to-perform fee are encouraged to attend a rally outside the courthouse on Main Street, Bel Air at 5pm. At 6pm, the advocacy group hopes to provide testimony at the Board of Education meeting.

    “I’ve seen kids who were unable to pay the previous $20, which we still have to pay,” Vaughan explains. “I think it’s completely outrageous, especially when the teachers see none of the money.”

    Ryan Nicotra organized the Harford County Arts and Culture Alliance which has mobilized about 250 supporters who advocated against the fee at a previous board meeting.

    Along with Nicotra’s work, a petition has been made on the website change.org. Taylor Casalena, creator of the petition, stated, “Many people participate in the arts and some people participate in both sports and the arts. To some families, this will heavily increase costs, especially if there is more than one high school student in the house.”

    “Drama programs have always been a safe space for any student, and for some,  the only safe space, but not every parent can simply afford this. The arts are already struggling in Harford County Public Schools and by adding this fee, participation levels will be even smaller,” Casalena continued.

    Currently Casalena’s petition has 861 signatures.

   Drama teacher Mrs. Nancy Green believes. “It’s [pay-to-perform] an unfair barrier that keeps kids from participating and it certainly has had a negative effect that we’ve seen already. I have approximately less than half of my students for the musical this year.”

    Green states that she is attending board meetings and writing letters to the board, and encourages everyone to come to the next Board of Education meeting on October 10th at 5pm.

    “As educators we feel it is unfair to place barriers on our students for participating in extracurricular activities. If we’re really in the business of getting kids ready for college we need to remember that colleges want well-rounded applicants with extensive extracurricular activity,”  said Green.