Maricopa parents are voicing concerns over a new fee structure at Heritage Academy that requires students not enrolled at the charter school, referred to as “non-Heritage scholars,” to pay $1,400 to compete on its sports teams.

According to a letter sent Tuesday to families by Athletic Director Jeffrey Miller, non-enrolled students must submit paperwork by Aug. 8 and pay the fees by Aug. 15 to participate in fall sports. The cost includes a $1,000 participation fee and a $400 “class fee.”

The participation fee is new this year, with parents noting they were given only one pay period’s notice before the cost rose to three and a half times last season’s amount.

The letter notes that Heritage sports are subsidized by state funds based on student enrollment, requiring higher fees for athletes who are not enrolled at the school. Required documents include a physical, birth certificate, current class schedule and proof of passing grades.

A parent who shared the letter with InMaricopa voiced frustration at the cost and timing of the announcement, saying it could prevent some students from competing this season. 

“All these non-Heritage kids might not get to play now,” said a Heritage employee who is not impacted by the fee increase, requesting anonymity out of concern for retaliation. “I feel horrible for the kids.”

In the letter, AD Miller also wrote: 

“There have been concerns raised about aspects of this procedure. While Heritage District is reviewing those, we still need to move forward with the anticipation that all questions will be answered as needed. Please work to complete the documents to the deadline above and we will pass on more information as it becomes available.” 

Parents told InMaricopa that a lawsuit is being planned against the school over the fees. Miller, over email, said he can’t comment on the fees, citing ongoing work with the school’s legal team.

“At this time, we are not able to comment as we are working through best practices with legal aid,” said Miller. “We would be willing to comment at a later date.”

Non-enrolled students at Heritage, a 6-12 charter school in the Glennwilde neighborhood, have historically been able to compete on Heritage sports teams when space allowed.

The cost for non-enrolled students to play sports in Arizona public schools varies widely. In Fountain Hills, it costs $250. At Yuma’s Kofa High School, participation fees total $650 per sport. At Mesa Public Schools, students pay a hefty $2,000 per season.