Stop OCPS From Charging School Sports Teams to Use Their Own Fields

School athletic teams should not be required to pay to use the fields and facilities located at their own schools.

Orange County Public Schools, the public school district serving Orlando and surrounding communities in Orange County, Florida, is reportedly considering a policy that could charge school sports teams for using athletic fields and facilities located on their own campuses.

This petition specifically concerns Orange County Public Schools in Central Florida and the School Board of Orange County, Florida.

If approved, these charges could create an additional financial burden for school athletic programs that already rely heavily on fundraising, sponsorships, booster organizations, parents, coaches, and community volunteers.

These athletic facilities were built to serve OCPS students. School-authorized practices, games, team activities, and program events should not be treated the same as facility rentals by outside organizations.

Additional charges could also create greater inequality between schools. Programs in communities with strong fundraising resources may be able to absorb the costs, while teams in less-resourced communities could struggle to maintain safe, competitive, and accessible athletic programs.

School athletics contribute to student discipline, teamwork, physical health, attendance, academic accountability, and school pride. Policies affecting access to athletic facilities should strengthen these opportunities—not make participation more expensive.

We respectfully ask Orange County Public Schools and the School Board of Orange County, Florida, to:

1. Reject or withdraw any proposal requiring OCPS school athletic teams to pay to use their own campus fields or facilities for school-authorized activities.

2. Release the complete proposed policy, fee schedule, financial justification, and expected effect on each school and sport.

3. Allow meaningful public input from student-athletes, parents, coaches, athletic directors, principals, booster organizations, alumni, and Orange County taxpayers before taking action.

4. Develop a fair districtwide solution that protects student access and does not shift ordinary school facility expenses onto athletic teams and families.

We support responsible management of school property. However, charging an Orlando-area public school sports team to use its own field is not the right solution.

Please sign this petition and stand with student-athletes, families, coaches, and school athletic programs throughout Orange County and Central Florida.