JEFFERSON TWP — Students at Knoch middle and high schools will have to pay an activity fee to participate in sports and clubs beginning this fall.

The South Butler County School Board on Wednesday night approved the student activity fee.

Knoch is following suit with several other school districts in Butler County that charge student fees to participate in athletics and/or other activities. Seneca Valley and Mars have policies in place, while the Butler School Board in February approved a pay to play policy, which also will be implemented this fall.

For students in grades 6 through 12 at South Butler, a $25 fee will be implemented for student participation in each nonathletic club, with a $75 cap per family.

A $50 per sport fee will be implemented for athletes, with a $100 cap per family.

Families that qualify for free and reduced lunch will be exempt from the fees.

“We’ve faced increasing costs” with clubs, athletics and transportation, said Mike Leitera, superintendent, last month. “There hasn’t been that increasing amount in state funding.”

Money raised from these fees, estimated to be $50,000 next school year, will go into the district’s general fund.