Longview School District coaches agreed Wednesday to a 4 percent pay cut for the upcoming school year to reduce “pay-to-play” fees for student athletes.

The cut for all 121 coaches will raise about $22,000 and help offset charges to participate in interscholastic sports, according to the school district. “Pay to play” fees will drop from $50 to $35 for high school sports and from $20 to $15 for middle school sports.

The district is charging the fees to help balance its 2009-10 budget in the wake of declining state support for education and reduced enrollment.

Longview Superintendent Suzanne Cusick said the district appreciates the coaches’ decision, calling it “way beyond what would have been expected.”

“I’m really grateful. What a great act. It really demonstrates our staff member’s dedication for what’s best for young people,” she said.

Mark Morris High School boys varsity basketball coach Bill Bakamus said the pay cuts received a unanimous yes vote from coaches, who decided the matter at a coaches association meeting Wednesday morning.

“Certainly, it is a self-sacrifice, but we felt it was for the good for all the students in Longview Schools to benefit from,” he said. “We hope this is a positive thing and gets as many students out as possible. Extracurricular activities and sports play such a big part in students’ lives, both socially and interactively.”

Coaches earn between $1,800 to $6,200 per season, depending on the sport and position, according to the school district.

This is the first school year the district is charging students to play interscholastic sports.

R.A. Long High School football coach Erik Bertram said the coaches’ decision will be an especially big help at R.A Long, where “money is an issue” for families and students.

In 2007, about 42 percent of students at the high school were below the poverty line, based on numbers of students getting free and reduced-price lunches. Bertram said he hopes the reduced sports fees encourage more students to turn out.

“It was a no-brainer. Without kids, we coaches don’t really have a job,” he said. “I think it was a good gesture on all the coaches part.”