Express Your Extracurricular Opinion

Students cannot live on classwork alone.

Whether it's the school play, a team sport, performing in a musical group or joining a club, students throughout the Belmont School District have the opportunity to participate in a myriad of afterschool groups or activities.

But over the years, user fees and tight budgets have become worrisome issues facing these heavily-used activities.

Tonight, residents, parents and students can their say on what's working and what they believe needs improvement as the School Committee's Task Force on Extracurricular Activities will be holding an open Public Forum to solicite the pros and cons of how these programs are currently financed and operated.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Conference Room at Belmont Town Hall, Selectmen’s Conference Room.

The meeting will begin with the Task Force presenting its findings on those fees, costs and participation levels in extracurricular programs before inviting the public's opinion on what works well and what doesn't in the current system.

Input gathered at this meeting will help shape the Task Force’s recommendations to the School Committee on how to sustain and improve these highly-valued programs.

The Belmont School Committee formed the Task Force on Extracurricular Activities to help ensure that student activities, athletics, and performing arts remain a viable and vibrant part of the school experience despite increasing financial pressure on the budget of the Belmont Public Schools.

The Task Force will present its findings and recommendations to the School Committee later this school year.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may offer input and suggestions via email to Dan Scharfman, the Task Force chairman.