LEAF and District 742 Pledge $100K to Eliminate Middle School Activity Fees in St. Cloud

(KNSI) – A local foundation plans to cover the cost for middle school students in the St. Cloud Area School District to join clubs and sports.

District 742 and the Local Education & Activities Foundation have made a $100,000 commitment to pay for all sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to take part in an activity for the next two years. The program is in response to decreased participation in extracurricular activities. According to LEAF, the program would eliminate the financial strain placed on families and make it easier for kids to participate in school activities.

Superintendent Laurie Putnam said, “LEAF’s generosity means we will be able to waive all activity fees for every middle schooler who wants to join a sport or other activity. It will give more students more opportunities to learn and grow. And we know that students who participate in activities often excel in the classroom. This is a classic win-win.”

LEAF Executive Director Natalie Copeland says over $30,000 has already been raised toward waiving activities fees for the 2025-2026 school year. She says that amount is in addition to the $44,000 in the Activities Participation fund. Those dollars help kids cover the cost of physicals, equipment, and supplies for the activity of their choice.

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