According to the Associated Press and Charlotte Observer, the city cut $1.25 million -- the entire budget for middle-school sports -- in an effort to get the school district's funding in line with budget projections. The public school district also instituted new rules that call for middle-school students to pay $50 to participate in each school sports and high school athletes to pay $100 to play. The Observer reported that those fees would be waived for students who participate in the free or reduced-cost lunch programs, a group that comprises more than half of the students attending Charlotte public schools. From The Observer:
"We investigated the situation. We looked for ways to help middle schools and this was one of the options presented to us. We took it because of the impact on middle schools and giving them the opportunity to play sports and as motivation for education as well," Jordan said.
