PORT ORCHARD — South Kitsap School District officials said Friday that athletic participation fees will be waived for the 2021-2022 school year.

The district said in a news release that the decision was made to encourage student involvement in athletics and “to lessen the financial burden on families.” Athletic fees were most recently $75 at the high school level and $35 at the middle school level.

The SKSD board of directors will vote on the fee change at its Sept. 8 regularly scheduled board meeting, school spokeswoman Amy Miller said in the release.

Superintendent Tim Winter said the district made the decision knowing that social interactions are an important part of being a school student. He said the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on students’ physical and emotional wellness.

In the release, officials stated that students who take part in school athletics “make memories, build lasting friendships, and learn valuable skills like teamwork, leadership and handling adversity.”

“The benefits of students getting involved in school athletics outside the regular school day are widely known and we want to remove as many barriers as possible,” Winter said.

“There are so many options open to South Kitsap students. There is something for everyone and we encourage all students to get involved, challenge themselves, and try something new.”