Walpole School Committee votes to raise athletic fees up to $75 per sport

WALPOLE — February 12, 2026 — Walpole School Committee unanimously raises athletic participation fees and hears first-year athletic director report at February 12 meeting. The committee voted 7-0 to approve fee increases proposed by Athletic Director Dave St. Martin, who said operating costs for transportation, officiating, equipment, and rented facilities have outpaced revenue while Walpole's fees remain $18 to $23 below those of 11 comparable towns. Most sports rise from $275 to $300; football from $310 to $325; gymnastics and swimming from $375 to $400; and boys and girls hockey from $375 to $450, reflecting ice rental costs. The family cap remains at $1,200, which St. Martin noted is $150 below the regional average. The committee also approved out-of-state travel for the robotics team, a ski club trip to Pat's Peak, and — with a waiver of the 30-day notice requirement — a Providence field trip for three students accepted into the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Regional Honor Choir. Separately, Superintendent Mike Frischer reported that the School Committee's approved FY27 budget of $60,900,418 sits $628,290 above the town administrator's recommendation of $60,272,128, with a Finance Committee presentation scheduled for February 26.