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.

Tags: budget, Clayton County schools, middle school sports