(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem) today announced that he will again introduce a bill to prohibit boards of education in New Jersey from charging public school students a fee to participate in extracurricular activities.
“Extracurricular activities are part of what makes a well-rounded student. Students should not be denied the opportunity to play a sport or be part of the school band because their parents cannot afford to pay for it,” said Burzichelli. “These are public schools, not private clubs. New Jersey residents pay enough property taxes, which largely support our public schools. They expect their children to get all the benefits that come with a public education, including after-school activities.”
The bill forbids a board of education from charging a student or the student’s parent or legal guardian a fee to participate in extracurricular activities. Burzichelli first introduced the bill in 2010.
“Charging these fees is not only unfair to taxpayers, but also creates inequity among students,” said Burzichelli. “Not everyone can afford to pay these additional charges, which creates a distinction between the haves and the have nots. That goes directly against the spirit of public education.”
