The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Monday, Feb. 18, to approve an admission fee to softball and baseball games.

Superintendent Boyd Jones said, "We have spoken previously about charging admission to the baseball and softball games." Several I-70 schools are already charging admission.

"The costs of administrating a baseball/softball game are at least as much as football, volleyball and basketball games," Jones said.

The conference has set the rate for volleyball, football and basketball at $4 for a varsity contest.

According to officials at other I-70 schools, Crest Ridge, Santa Fe and Wellington charge for baseball/softball games, while Concordia, St. Paul's and Windsor do not charge.

"I don't see why we wouldn't charge for one sport, when we do for others," Jones said.

The admission collectors for the games are the senior class parents. The parents receive $5 per individual per game for the class, which would add up quickly for the number of games played.

"All the (admission) funds would stay here (in the district)," Jones said. "It will not go to the conference."

Booster club passes would allow holders to get into the game without paying admission fees.

Thomas made a motion to set the admission fees at $4 for adults and $2 for children. The motion died for lack of a second.

"We don't have to meet the conference," said Rodney Heaper, board member, as he thought those prices were too high.

The fees would be applied towards chalk and official expenses. It will also be applied towards electricity for lights at some point in time, Jones said.

"Charging for any of the games are not going to pay for (everything) the team (needs)," Jones said. Several hundreds of dollars of sand has been put on the fields this year getting them ready for the upcoming season.

Board member Doug Vogelsmeier said, "I hope that people would invest in season passes because when you add games it is more cost effective."

Heaper moved to set the fees at $3 for adults, $1 for students and children under 5 years old get in free. Vogelsmeier seconded the motion and the board approved unanimously. Treasurer Philip Clevenger was unable to attend the meeting. Elementary Principal Donna Wright and High School Principal Mike Smith reported that attendance was down in January due to several illnesses.

In other business, the elementary attendance was at 94 percent, while the high school was down to 91 percent.

"It seems like we have just about everything going around so we have students gone just about everyday," Wright said.

"We have been hit equally hard with the flu season," Smith said.

Jones told the board that the new electronic score boards are up at the softball/baseball complex, but electricity hasn't been run to them yet.

Smith said Sweet Springs football will be in District 8 this year. This district includes Sacred Heart, Northwest and Tipton football teams.

The next board meeting will be Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m.

Contact Rachel Harper at marshallcity@socket.net