Tue., May 1, 2012 11:00am (EDT)

Clayton Keeps Middle School Sports
By Associated Press
Updated: 1 year ago

JONESBORO, Ga.  —  
Clayton County School Board members had considered cutting the middle school sports program to save about $900,000 a year. The board decided not to eliminate the sports, but parents will have to pay for them. (Photo Courtesy of Edgar Vonk via Flickr.)
Clayton County School Board members had considered cutting the middle school sports program to save about $900,000 a year. The board decided not to eliminate the sports, but parents will have to pay for them. (Photo Courtesy of Edgar Vonk via Flickr.)
A metro Atlanta school board struggling with its finances has voted to keep middle school sports programs in the district, but parents will be asked to help pay for them.

Clayton County's school board decided Monday night to keep the sports programs as long as parents pay $35 for each student who plays sports.

The school system just south of Atlanta is struggling to close a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall.

Board members had considered cutting the program to save about $900,000 a year. Sports in the program include football, basketball, volleyball and track.