VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach City Public Schools sporting events could be going up in price.
The Office of Student Leadership created a plan to offset operational expenses, including coaching salaries, equipment upgrades and security costs. In order to accomplish this, tickets will increase by 10%.
“The prices are already high, so it’s not a difference for real,” said Samiya Williams, a senior at a Virginia Beach school.
The office is proposing an increase in coaching salaries to include pay for post season play. They also proposed an increase in ticket and pass prices, making the price increase by $1-$5 in both the middle and high school levels. Season passes would increase by 10%. Lastly, they’d like to expand ticket sales to athletics and activities where they previously have not charged.
Williams said if the changes go into effect, she will still show her school spirit.
“I like sports, I like basketball, I like football, but mainly because I like to support my school,” said Williams.
The changes would be increased over the next two years. If they expand ticket sales, the office estimates $50,000 in projected revenue.
Williams says she’ll still show support regardless of what happens.
“I don’t think it should go into effect, but I feel like, for playoffs and stuff, like – it can go up, but for regular season games, I don’t think that it should go up, but I don’t really care. I’m still going to go,” said Williams.
After hearing cost concerns from the board after the proposal was presented Tuesday, the Superintendent of Virginia Beach Public Schools Dr. Donald Robertson says, “If the board is OK with staying with the schedule we have, which is to come back in two weeks and vote, we’ll make an adjustment on the middle school down to six… we can do that before the fee structure comes out in about 6 weeks,” Dr. Donald Robertson Jr., Superintendent.
The school board is set to vote on all three proposals on April 8. If approved, the changes will go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
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