OKEMOS - High school sports are a staple of communities throughout the country. Many have fond memories of playing or watching them during their time in high school.

But are young athletes getting denied the chance to play high school sports due to athletic fees? Some Okemos residents including Tom Horton think so.

"I know many children in this community that aren't involved in any type of sport because they can't afford them," he said.

Horton and several others spoke before the Okemos Board of Education last Monday night, voicing their opinions that Okemos should lower their $360 annual fee, in hopes of achieving maximum participation.

Another Okemos resident, Andy Manni, thinks that students have a right to participate in public school sports.

"I'm of the opinion that all students who wish to participate should be able to participate because we as tax payers have paid through taxes for them to participate," he said.

While many may disagree with pay to play fees, school officials believe the expense is necessary in order to fund athletics.

This public out cry comes in the wake of nearby Waverly School District deciding to eliminate their pay to play fees altogether, an idea that Manni and others believe is possible in Okemos as well.

"Absolutely we do have the money, I just believe in the appropriations process, the money is there."

The Okemos Board of Education was only listening to the concerns of residents and has yet to put athletic fees as a separate topic on their agenda.