Fairshare/ Required Uniform and Gear Fee

What is the Fairshare payment?

Fairshare payments cover activities and efforts that are not covered by the CISD budget, providing benefit and support for the education of ALL Band and Color Guard students at Grand Oaks High School, including, but not limited to:

• Marching show design costs

• Music purchasing, arrangement and licensing costs

• Compensation for support staff, technicians and some of our directors

• Transportation of instruments and props

• Show props and band equipment costs

• Masterclass and guest clinicians and teachers throughout the year

• A portion of both UIL and in school competition costs (music, judges, awards)

• Software subscription costs for your student’s individual access for marching and music instruction 

• Subsidized portion of annual banquet event

• Meals and snacks for out-of-town contests

The Band/Color Guard Directors and the Booster Club determine a membership fee (a “Fairshare”) for each student, each year. This fee is typical of all Band/Color Guard programs across the state and fine arts/student groups at Grand Oaks High School.  The Directors and Boosters work hard to keep this fee lower than most Fairshare fees in the school and district.  All students are asked to pay their Fairshare in full based on the fee schedule below or a pre-approved payment plan.

What is the Required Uniform and Gear Fee?

All students, new or returning in Band or Color Guard,  will be required to pay a non-refundable Uniform and Gear Fee by the final day of May Band Camp (May 28, 2026).  This Required Uniform and Gear Fee will cover the purchase of uniform overlays for all Band students, performance uniforms for Color Guard, and the required Gear Bundle.  New and returning Color Guard students' Uniform and Gear Fee  will be higher due to their specific travel uniform and gear needs. Gear will be delivered in August to coincide with a sales-tax free holiday. Uniforms will be issued for game-day attire. Information about what is included in the required bundle, as well as how to purchase additional gear can be found at our Gear Shop webpage.

Students who do not make this payment by the deadline risk forfeiting their spot on the marching field as they will not have the required uniform and practice gear. Late purchases may incur additional charges for one-off purchases and additional delivery costs.  All students must make this payment regardless of Fairshare discounts and waivers.

How much are the fees and when are they due?

The following table summarized required fees and payment deadlines for the Grand Oaks High School Band Boosters. All fees may be paid in full earlier than the specified due date. Additional fees for out-of-town transportation will be determined and assessed through CISD SchoolCash Online.

Fee Summar

*Families with multiple band/color guard members pay full fees for the first student, and the reduced "sibling" fee for each additional student. This discount is extended as a courtesy to assist families with multiple children in the band/guard program  (living in the same home and under the financial responsibility of the same parents for ALL band/guard fees). 

How do I make my payments?

Payment options include:

• Zelle payment to finance@grandoaksband.org (Grand Oaks HS Band Booster Association) by the due date, placing your student's name and payment description (May Uniform & Gear, Fairshare Payment #1, Winter Guard fees, etc) in the notes section to ensure your payment is applied to your student's account correctly.

• Credit card - pay through your student’s CutTime account (includes a credit card processing fee). Find full instructions on the CutTime payment page.  

• Check - made out to GOHSBBA and placed in the safe in the Band Hall office by the due date, again adding a note with your student's name and your payment description.

What if I am unable to afford my Fairshare fee?

The directors and Boosters do not want any child to forego a musical education because their parents cannot afford their Fairshare fee.  If the payment schedule listed above does not fit your family's needs, please reach out to the GOHSBBA Treasurer at finance@grandoaksband.org to discuss other payment and/or waiver options.  The required Uniform and Gear Fee due in late May are not eligible for special payment arrangements.

If you would like to apply for a Fair Share discount for additional siblings, due to documented financial hardship, and/or would like to request a payment plan, please apply here.  You must enroll by June 26, 2026 to be included in this offering.

Are there any other ways I can reduce my fees?

Your student’s CutTime link can be shared with friends and family members who wish to provide support and make a payment as a gift. They will not have full access to account information, but are able to remit a credit card payment through CutTime as a means of support.

In the Spring semester, students will be provided the opportunity to request a CutTime credit upon completion of 2 full GO Flags volunteer shifts. The credit can be applied towards a discount against their future Fairshare fees or banquet tickets.  More information about this credit can be found here.

What if I pay the fee and my child withdraws from Band/Color Guard?

Per our published GOHSBBA Policies and Procedures guidelines, students who withdraw from the Band/Color Guard program are entitled to refunds of their Fairshare fee as follows:

• Required gear and uniform fees are non-refundable. You are welcome to independently resell any purchased items. 

• Withdrawal prior to August 1st - 90% of any monies paid towards Fairshare are refundable. 

• Withdrawal prior to the first day of school - 75% of any monies paid towards Fairshare are refundable. 

• Withdrawal on or after Friday of the first week of school - no refunds allowed.

What happens if I don't pay my child's/children's fee(s)?

Your family will not be considered a member of the GOHS Band Booster Association and will not be able to participate in Booster association voting privileges.