MADISON COUNTY, Ala. — If you've attended an athletic event for Madison County School System in the past, you may notice a price increase in your ticket cost the next time you attend.
The Board of Education hosted a special session meeting on Thursday, August 8. During the meeting, officials voted to raise ticket prices for athletic events. However, this doesn't affect every attendee, nor every sport.
At the high school level, there will be a $1 raise for general admission tickets, but not for students. Madison County currently has varsity sports general admission ticket prices set at $7. School officials confirmed the price hike will affect all athletics with the exception of football.
Madison County School System Superintendent Ken Kubik said this isn't the same for middle schools. "Middle schools, it was going to go up a dollar for students, for all other sports and football," said Kubik. Madison County currently has middle school ticket prices set at $6 for general admission and $3 for students.
The increase in cost will help offset rising prices for athletic officials, like referees and umpires, and security. Kubik said, "As the cost of officials keeps going up and the cost of protection for our having SRO's at the games, that was the best course."
Like most school systems in North Alabama, Madison County school students have returned to the classroom within the last couple of weeks. Fall sports for the Alabama High Schools Athletic Association kick off at the end of August.