By Uncle Irvin

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is going to raise activities fees, and well they should.

Unlike college sports, where men's football and basketball may make money, no high school sport or band pays for itself,  The district's activity fees now cover about 15 percent of the cost of these activities.

All school districts should re-evaluate their activity fees as they prepare for the 2014-2015 school year. It would be eminently fair to taxpayers who have no children in school, as well as families whose children don't participate in activities, to raise fees to cover 50 percent of the costs. Families who are unable to afford the fee could get some sort of aid.

School board members have a responsibility to taxpayers, as well as students, and are only required to provide a free education. Public schools are not obligated to pay for any activity, and activity fees are voluntary.

Activity fees are a simple way to help balance the budget without relying only on property taxes.