Prince George's High School Students To Pay Athletics Fee

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) -- Prince George's County high school students who want to play a sport in the upcoming school year will have to pay a fee.

The school system approved the new rule Thursday. It requires any student on an "interscholastic athletic team" to pay a $50 fee. Students do not have to pay an additional fee to play more than one sport.

Superintendent Dr. William Hite Jr. said in a statement that it is the first time the county has implemented an activity fee. He says it's one of many strategies being used to sustain extracurricular programs during difficult economic times.

The school system is facing a budget gap of more than $145 million.

Students in Fairfax, Loudoun and Montgomery Counties also pay an athletics fee.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)