Student fees for music, sports going up in District 64

Participating in music and athletic programs will cost more for Park Ridge Elementary District 64 families in the 2025-26 school year.

The maintenance fee for students’ Chromebooks is going up, too.

The District 64 board approved the increases Thursday.

The fee for joining an instrumental music program will be $50 next school year, up from $40.

Joining a basketball, wrestling or volleyball team at one of the District 64 schools will cost $150 in the 2025-26 term, up from $140. Participating in cross-country running will cost $45, up from $35.

The fees are increasing because costs for equipment and travel and coaching stipends have increased, among other expenses, said Adam Parisi, the district’s chief school business official.

In contrast, the fee for being part of an elementary school choir will remain $25 and the fee for middle school choir participation will hold at $40. Choir fees aren’t changing because they went up two years ago, Parisi said.

As for students’ Chromebooks, the annual maintenance fee will be $50 next year, up from $30.

Board member Monica Milligan raised a concern about the affect of rising fees on families with multiple students.

Student registration fees won’t increase in 2025, as long as families take action early. Otherwise, those fees are going up.

Signing up for a half-day kindergarten program by March 14 will cost $114 per student, the same as this year’s early bird fee. Registration after that date will cost $164, up from $134.

Full-day kindergarten registration will cost $227 per student if done by March 14, the same as this year’s early bird fee. Registration after that date will cost $277, up from $247.

Registration for first- through fifth-graders will cost $227 if done by March 14, too. Registering later will cost $277, up from $247.

Middle school registration will cost $315 per student if done by March 14, the same as this year’s early fee. Registering later will cost $365, up from $335.

Officials hope the lower rate for early registration will encourage more families to sign their kids up sooner. Later registrations can cause headaches when it comes to hiring and staff planning, Parisi said.

Preschool registration will remain free regardless of when it’s done because of a state grant.

More than 4,400 students are enrolled across seven District 64 schools this year, officials said.

A video of Thursday’s meeting is available on the district’s YouTube channel, @d64boemeetings.