Originally published August 3, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 3, 2007 at 2:04 AM

Athletes in Seattle public schools now "pay to play"

Students in Seattle public high schools will be asked to "pay to play" interscholastic sports this coming school year. The Seattle School Board...

By Seattle Times staff

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Students in Seattle public high schools will be asked to "pay to play" interscholastic sports this coming school year.

The Seattle School Board has approved a plan that requires a student to pay $50 to play one sport and $25 for a second sport. A third sport is free.

Al Hairston, athletic coordinator for Seattle Public Schools, said the fee for students receiving free or reduced-price lunches is $25 for the first sport and $12.50 for the second. He said principals have the authority to waive the fee for any student unable to pay.

Hairston said revenue raised by the fee will stay at each school for transportation costs.

Many suburban school districts in King and Pierce counties have had "pay for play" policies in effect for years.

LW hires Utschinski

Lake Washington has hired Michael Utschinski as interim head football coach.

He was a line coach for the team last year and got a job of the manager of LW stadium in the offseason.

He succeeds Mike Merrill, who lost his LW coaching job when he lost his teaching position in the district because of layoffs.

Merrill, the former head coach at Mount Rainier High School, taught classes at both Rose Hill Junior High and LW last year.

Merrill said Thursday his search is continuing for new teaching and coaching positions.

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