Some Orange County parents are raising concerns about a possible new fee structure tied to club sports teams using Orange County Public Schools fields and facilities.

The confusion this week centers on fall baseball and similar “club” activity that uses school fields outside the traditional school season.

It all comes down to a state rule that has been on the books for years, with updated reinforced guidance from the Florida High School Athletic Association that states club teams using school facilities must have their own insurance and a facility-use agreement.

Parents say they worry any added costs could discourage participation.

“It seems like it’s the club teams, the volunteer teams, the ones that aren’t getting that type of funding to them, the ones that are pouring out funding personally, I think we’re hitting the wrong individuals here,” Darrell Sweeting, an OCPS parent who coaches his kids in a recreation league, said.

At an Orange County Schools work session Tuesday, board member Alicia Farrant said the district did not handle the situation well.

“I don’t know that this was really communicated the best so that’s the other part that I think is frustrating is it kind of just blew up on everybody in the middle of the season,” she said.

Farrant herself admitted that she had come confusion over which teams would classify as a club team under this updated guidance.

It would include, for example, the Timber Creek fall ball team, even though that team is comprised largely of OCPS teenagers.

A potential fee schedule discussed would charge hourly rates for facility use, including:

– Baseball/softball fields: $92/hour

– Gyms: $97/hour

– Football fields/stadiums: $97/hour

– Track fields: $92–$172/hour

The district noted those rates would be lower than what AAU teams are charged.

“All the parents, in fact, that emailed me were very upset they had to pay to use their own field, and to their credit, they’re right,” board member Angie Gallo said. “The coaches usually maintain those fields above and beyond.”

Board member Vicki-Elaine Felder said that sports are a “money-making endeavor,” and OCPS should not leave cash on the table as many public schools nationwide are dealing with a lack of funding.

Superintendent Maria Vazquez indicated there would likely be no charges for the current fall season while the district and board considers its options.

An OCPS spokesperson told News 6 the specifics are expected to be discussed at a future work session, but there is no timeline yet for that.