Registration Fees - Rant

[erincon23]

I live in a fairly large school district that is financially stable (unlike several other districts in the area), in a state that is among the worst, if not THE worst, financially (owes $ millions and millions to school districts). Short of moving, I don't think there's any way around the fees we will have to pay. Our reg fee is $65, plus $25 for a gym uniform, and probably around $40 additionally for the books. Then there's yearbook (which we will buy), an activity pass (which we will not, probably, since DS is not interested in sports), and some other fees that are optional for other activities (Band fee is $40 -- we paid that the last four years for my now-graduated DS18, DS14 will not be in band; choir is $25 to rent a tux or dress, DS14 is not in choir. I think these both are reasonable charges).

My problem is that our income has been cut in half this past year, but we still don't qualify for assistance. Of course, they don't care that we just this week spent $400 to put freon in the a/c (which didn't fix it, I'm sitting here sweltering, but it could be $800 or more to actually get the repair done), $150 to repair DH's brakes, $1500 for DS18's first college payment... It's going to be very difficult to come up with the money on Monday, but we'll pay it.

Yes, we all assume public school should be free -- but it isn't any more, that's just reality, and we have to face up to that. I can't imagine the attitude I've heard that "I'm not going to pay, you can't make me, public school should be free." If you feel that way, do your research, and find a district that IS free! Then move! I'm sure your neighbors who are paying their fees -- and supporting your children that way -- won't miss you. Yes, you have a right to question fees and if you don't get the answer you want, you counter that by getting yourself on the school board (or at least attending all the meetings) and understanding the district's funding structure and needs, organizing other parents to get the school district to shift funding from things that aren't as necessary to things that absolutely have to be paid for, not by deciding not to pay your fees! That seems to me to be a very juvenile attitude. If your school district really doesn't have enough money to support the educational programs it offers, and needs to charge these fees to make up the difference, what are your options? They're probably not your own PERSONAL options, they're choices that the taxpayers need to make as a whole -- raise taxes, find some way to force the district to reevaluate programs and fees, fundraise, whatever!

This is a very touchy subject, and it's obvious that school funding is not uniform throughout the country, or even throughout states and even counties. There aren't any easy fixes to any of this, and the current economic climate makes it even harder on many, many families.

 

[TxRabbit]

My twin boys had to pay a $150 "graduation fee" from public high school. This covered the RENTAL cost of gowns. (No parties or anything of that nature included).

My daughter graduated a public college the next year. The cost of her grad. gown and cap to OWN it was $40.

I just paid the fees without calling the high school to inquire, but obviously the high school made some profit or did not shop around.

In retrospect, I should have questioned the high school about the fees and called around for better deals. So either the high school made a profit, or they did not shop around and the parents were ripped off.

So parents, I'd suggest: Do not do as I did, but go out and question the expenses and see if the price can be brought down or eliminated.

As I read this, I thought to myself that rentals likely need to be dry cleaned or cleaned someone in order to keep renting. In order to stand up to cleaning, the quality of the gown would have to be fairly decent. I remember that the robes that I had to buy for HS and college graduations were cheap and cheap quality, but the robes that the professors wore looked very nice by comparison. This could explain the price difference.

It's not good budgeting and seems ridiculous all the same to me, but just a thought that occured to me as I read your post.

 

[disney1990]

Some states have ruled required (mandatory) fees illegal. They have ruled that children should not have to pay to attend a public school. I don't know what other states have made this ruling, but I found a link to the State of Tennessee.

http://nashville.about.com/od/nashvilleeducation/a/tnschoolfees.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/30/AR2008083001878.html

 

[hambirg]

I live in a fairly large school district that is financially stable (unlike several other districts in the area), in a state that is among the worst, if not THE worst, financially (owes $ millions and millions to school districts). Short of moving, I don't think there's any way around the fees we will have to pay. Our reg fee is $65, plus $25 for a gym uniform, and probably around $40 additionally for the books. Then there's yearbook (which we will buy), an activity pass (which we will not, probably, since DS is not interested in sports), and some other fees that are optional for other activities (Band fee is $40 -- we paid that the last four years for my now-graduated DS18, DS14 will not be in band; choir is $25 to rent a tux or dress, DS14 is not in choir. I think these both are reasonable charges).

My problem is that our income has been cut in half this past year, but we still don't qualify for assistance. Of course, they don't care that we just this week spent $400 to put freon in the a/c (which didn't fix it, I'm sitting here sweltering, but it could be $800 or more to actually get the repair done), $150 to repair DH's brakes, $1500 for DS18's first college payment... It's going to be very difficult to come up with the money on Monday, but we'll pay it.

Yes, we all assume public school should be free -- but it isn't any more, that's just reality, and we have to face up to that. I can't imagine the attitude I've heard that "I'm not going to pay, you can't make me, public school should be free." If you feel that way, do your research, and find a district that IS free! Then move! I'm sure your neighbors who are paying their fees -- and supporting your children that way -- won't miss you. Yes, you have a right to question fees and if you don't get the answer you want, you counter that by getting yourself on the school board (or at least attending all the meetings) and understanding the district's funding structure and needs, organizing other parents to get the school district to shift funding from things that aren't as necessary to things that absolutely have to be paid for, not by deciding not to pay your fees! That seems to me to be a very juvenile attitude. If your school district really doesn't have enough money to support the educational programs it offers, and needs to charge these fees to make up the difference, what are your options? They're probably not your own PERSONAL options, they're choices that the taxpayers need to make as a whole -- raise taxes, find some way to force the district to reevaluate programs and fees, fundraise, whatever!

This is a very touchy subject, and it's obvious that school funding is not uniform throughout the country, or even throughout states and even counties. There aren't any easy fixes to any of this, and the current economic climate makes it even harder on many, many families.

It's not a matter of assume or should. There is not a state in the union that doesn't have an education clause in it's constitution that provides for a free, basic K-12 education for all. That means that it is unconstitutional and illegal to charge fees for anything required to graduate.

And in case anybody is curious:

Texas Article 7: "Education"

Establishes provisions for public schools, asylums, and universities. ". . . it shall be DUTY OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools"

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 9 EDUCATION

SEC. 5. The Legislature shall provide for a system of common schools by which a free school shall be kept up and supported in each district at least six months in every year, after the first year in which a school has been established.

SEC. 7.5. The State Board of Education shall adopt textbooks throughout the State, to be furnished without cost as provided by statute.


North Carolina Sec. 2. Uniform system of schools.

(1)General and uniform system: term. The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools, which shall be maintained at least nine months in every year, and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.


Illinois SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS
A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services. Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. There may be such other free education as the General Assembly provides by law. The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.

Washington (my state)Text of Section 1:
Preamble.
It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.
Section 2
Public School System.
The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools. The public school system shall include common schools, and such high schools, normal schools, and technical schools as may hereafter be established. But the entire revenue derived from the common school fund and the state tax for common schools shall be exclusively applied to the support of the common schools.

Apparently New Jersey has the weakest clause. . .but it's still there:

New Jersey (7)

Providing for the management and control of free public schools.

When it comes to special education students it is federally mandated:

http://www.wct-law.com/CM/Publications/publications33.asp

Congress enacted legislation which grants disabled students the substantive right to a free appropriate public education in participating states, and conditions federal financial assistance upon compliance with IDEA.

IDEA adopts a "zero reject" principle which brings within its protective ambit a wide range of disabled children who require special education and related services.[5] The cornerstone of IDEA is the provision that all disabled children are assured the "right to a free appropriate public education"[6] which is comprised of "specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents or guardians, to meet the unique needs of a [disabled] child, including classroom instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions" as well as "related services" ("transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services... as may be required to assist a [disabled] child to benefit from special education"). Although the "free appropriate education" provision only assures disabled children a limited level of services,[7] IDEA provides this guarantee unconditionally. School districts which fail to comply, therefore, are not afforded significant leeway in asserting defenses based on a child's lack of conventional academic ability or the high cost of necessary services.

It's pretty clear. . .a free K-12, basic, education is a constitutional right in every state in the union. People can choose to pay fees for extracurricular, non-required activities, but it is unconstitutional for schools to require fees for basic requirements. . .like books. . and registration. . .and labs. Nobody needs to move. Owning property, however, is not a right. You are free to sell your property and rent if you don't like paying property taxes that support basic education.

And to the PP with the sped ed daughter, you most definitely don't have to pay that registration fee. . .book fee absolutely ridiculous! The federal government provides those funds! I have to look back, but I believe you pay for out of district transportation. . .again. . .it is federally mandated that you don't. And before anybody gets up in arms. . .those sped ed kids are money makers for their districts. I used to work with severely, profoundly disabled students and many of them were bussed in from outer lying, smaller districts. The outer lying district got the transportation money from the feds and our district got the ed funds. Well, until the smaller districts discovered that it was to their benefit to develop their own programs and keep all of the fed funds.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It's not a matter of assume or should. There is not a state in the union that doesn't have an education clause in it's constitution that provides for a free, basic K-12 education for all. That means that it is unconstitutional and illegal to charge fees for anything required to graduate.

And in case anybody is curious:

Texas Article 7: "Education"

Establishes provisions for public schools, asylums, and universities. ". . . it shall be DUTY OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools"

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 9 EDUCATION

SEC. 5. The Legislature shall provide for a system of common schools by which a free school shall be kept up and supported in each district at least six months in every year, after the first year in which a school has been established.

SEC. 7.5. The State Board of Education shall adopt textbooks throughout the State, to be furnished without cost as provided by statute.


North Carolina Sec. 2. Uniform system of schools.

(1)General and uniform system: term. The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools, which shall be maintained at least nine months in every year, and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.


Illinois SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS
A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services. Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. There may be such other free education as the General Assembly provides by law. The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.

Washington (my state)Text of Section 1:
Preamble.
It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.
Section 2
Public School System.
The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools. The public school system shall include common schools, and such high schools, normal schools, and technical schools as may hereafter be established. But the entire revenue derived from the common school fund and the state tax for common schools shall be exclusively applied to the support of the common schools.

Apparently New Jersey has the weakest clause. . .but it's still there:

New Jersey (7)

Providing for the management and control of free public schools.

When it comes to special education students it is federally mandated:

http://www.wct-law.com/CM/Publications/publications33.asp

Congress enacted legislation which grants disabled students the substantive right to a free appropriate public education in participating states, and conditions federal financial assistance upon compliance with IDEA.

IDEA adopts a "zero reject" principle which brings within its protective ambit a wide range of disabled children who require special education and related services.[5] The cornerstone of IDEA is the provision that all disabled children are assured the "right to a free appropriate public education"[6] which is comprised of "specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents or guardians, to meet the unique needs of a [disabled] child, including classroom instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions" as well as "related services" ("transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services... as may be required to assist a [disabled] child to benefit from special education"). Although the "free appropriate education" provision only assures disabled children a limited level of services,[7] IDEA provides this guarantee unconditionally. School districts which fail to comply, therefore, are not afforded significant leeway in asserting defenses based on a child's lack of conventional academic ability or the high cost of necessary services.

It's pretty clear. . .a free K-12, basic, education is a constitutional right in every state in the union. People can choose to pay fees for extra-curricular, non-required activities, but it is unconstitutional for schools to require fees for basic requirements. . .like books. . and registration. . .and labs. Nobody needs to move. Owning property, however, is not a right. You are free to sell your property and rent if you don't like paying property taxes that support basic education.

And to the PP with the sped ed daughter, you most definitely don't have to pay that registration fee. . .book fee absolutely ridiculous! The federal government provides those funds! I have to look back, but I believe you pay for out of district transportation. . .again. . .it is federally mandated that you don't. And before anybody gets up in arms. . .those sped ed kids are money makers for their districts. I used to work with severely, profoundly disabled students and many of them were bussed in from outer lying, smaller districts. The outer lying district got the transportation money from the feds and our district got the ed funds. Well, until the smaller districts discovered that it was to their benefit to develop their own programs and keep all of the fed funds.

You go girl!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I live in a suburb of Philadelphia. It is a decent suburb w/ a school district ranked within the top ten of suburban public schools in the area...and we pay less than $1100 a year in taxes. They meet or exceed their educational goals (state/federal) every year and there are one or two blue ribbon schools in the district!

Every content classroom in the entire district has a SmartBoard, each teacher has their own Mac Powerbook, and most classrooms either have their own class set of laptops or share a set w/ only 1 or 2 other classes.

Additionally, the district is phasing a plan to provide EVERY incoming high school freshman with their own school owned laptop that they will keep w/ them throughout high school. At the end of their senior year the student will be be given the option of purchasing or returning the laptop.

In the last four years of elementary school, we have paid for an agenda book for the last two years (free before that), a handful of trips (each grade has 1-2 free ones per year paid for by Home & School, others were less than $10), basic school supplies (not more than $20/year), 3 backpacks, and 3 lunchboxes.

Last year dd "graduated" from 3rd grade (school was k-3) and they asked for $20 per student to cover a yearbook, 3rd grade t-shirt (designed by and signed by the students) and end of year "jamboree." It was clear on the form sent home that there were scholarships available and I'm sure they were used since 40% of the school population is under the poverty level. Additionally, we rented a violin for dd last year for participation in lessons and orchestra (extracurricular).

There is a Home & School Association that runs various fundraisers throughout the year. Since the district has a Healthy School policy we do not sell candy, soda, or other similar items. Fundraisers are limited to product sales (candles, etc), donations, and %age nights at local businesses. The association runs sponsored field trips, pays for assemblies, and assists teachers w/ special supplies.

Additionally there is a district wide non-profit Education fund. It encourages parents to make donations to the fund in lieu of gifts to teachers. The organization provides teachers w/ funding for special projects as well as purchasing additional equipment for schools (our elementary school received a number of ipods last year to aid ESL and reading support students with an audio book program).

Dd is entering 4th grade but I checked the handbooks for the middle and high school and the only fee that is paid at that level is an activity fee of $50. It is voluntary if the student wishes to participate in ANY extracurricular activity...athletic or not.

There are no fees for books, supplies, or other necessities that are required for regular classes (including music, art, gym, etc.). I would assume that any AP courses in the high school, trips, prom, etc. would need to be paid for but that is to be expected. They are not part of your core education.

Our district isn't special. They don't have a magic well of money... but they have good teachers, involved parents, and use their resources wisely. Dh and I have lived here for 12 years and most of them the taxes were NOT raised. This is the first year in at least 3-4 that they have been.

I used to teach in inner city Philly. I know what it is like to teach with little to nothing when it comes to supplies, and to sink THOUSANDS of your own money into your classroom (I bought a class set (34) of novels one year because the reading program didn't start until mid-November...we had to hand first quarter grades in on 10/31!). I get it.

BUT... this isn't the fault of those IN the classroom. Administrations, boards of education, as well of state governors and legislatures are at fault. They need to come up with an equitable way to fund education. What we have IS NOT WORKING!!

The argument that "I don't have kids so I shouldn't pay school taxes" doesn't fly...these are the children that will be the adults paying your Social Security, and making the laws as you get older. Do you want them to know how to read & write? think critically? Have competent problem solving skills?

It is the responsibility of EVERYONE in a society to educate the children of their communities. It is the children that will perpetuate the society, and take care of those that came before them as they get older.

 

[superme80]

Just thought that I'd post an update.

I went to our local high school today as instructed to pay our fees. Of course DD wasn't in their system and no one at the various stations knew what to do. I explained at each that DD is a SpEd student that attends a school out of district because they can not meet her needs there. Each one looked at me like I was crazy. They kept insisting that I couldn't go on to the next table because I hadn't completed some of the steps. Well, DD doesn't go to that school so she doesn't have to get an ID. She doesn't go to the school so she doesn't have a schedule. She doesn't go to the school so she doesn't get a locker...

I finally get to the fee table. I told them that I was disputing the book fee but not the registration fee. The lady was very snotty with me. She said, "you know that we pay 6 times the cost to send your DD there instead of here don't you?" I just about blew my top. There are some very important reasons why DD goes to the other school (one of which is that a school employee broke my DD's leg requiring two titanium rods to be inserted into her leg) but I didn't want to go into that in a room full of people.

She then sent me to the bookstore people. I explained again. The man helping me was very kind but the other lady at the table was snotty. She made a very similar comment to me about the cost of sending DD to the other school. My only comment to her was that FAPE required that they do that. I calmly explained to her that if I'm paying $75 for books for DD, I want the books. She told me that she couldn't do that as no books would be issued to DD. She said "We're already giving you a $10 discount. The book fee is supposed to be $85!" She then went on to say that it's separated because of grant funding. That of course led me to question her. If they are claiming DD's need for books for grants, why isn't she getting the books? Someone else higher up in the school then came over and tried to explain to the lady that what they are doing is probably illegal, or at least against the grant/funding rules.

They then advised me to call our administration department.

I did that on the way home. The assistant super. apologized for the mistake and thanked me for bringing it to their attention. She said that I was right and that we are only required to pay the registration fee. She said that she would call the school and speak to the lady directly.

My check for the $65 registration fee is already in the mail to the assistant super. at our administration center.

I am just shocked at how you were treated first of all. Second of all to try and bully you into paying them extra money without providing the books is disgusting! Then to blame the fact that your daughter attends in another district to make you pay....unbelievable!!!! Glad you got the matter settled, but I would be furious.


And to who posted those laws thank you!

 

[Green Tea]

They only have one set of books for all the classes that teacher teaches to share. I went to the same school system and we always had a set of our own. I've really thought about buying my kids books for them because they need them at home just as much or more than at school.

Get the IBSN numbers. Plug them in on Amazon. SOme texts that I could buy from the bookstore for upwards of $200 were 70 CENTS, $1.00, $2.85. $3.99 shipping per item seemed standard. I can't beleive I used the recommended bookstore all these years......

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Get the IBSN numbers. Plug them in on Amazon. SOme texts that I could buy from the bookstore for upwards of $200 were 70 CENTS, $1.00, $2.85. $3.99 shipping per item seemed standard. I can't beleive I used the recommended bookstore all these years......

Gotta love Amazon. This is what I do when ds loses a library book and they want the cash to replace it. I replace the book and they're just as happy.
Never had a bad experience with Amazon and their service is priceless over the holidays for us.

 

[daughtersrus]

And to the PP with the sped ed daughter, you most definitely don't have to pay that registration fee. . .book fee absolutely ridiculous! The federal government provides those funds! I have to look back, but I believe you pay for out of district transportation.

We do not pay for transportation. It's considered a related service in her IEP just like PT, OT, Speech...

Thanks for the links about the law.

How do the school districts get away with charging these fees if it's illegal?

Here is the list of fees that I copied from our school district handbook.


High School
Book Fee $75
Registration Fee $65
ID Fee $5.00
Class Fee $5.00
Activities $30.00 Optional
Adventure Ed P.E. Class * $50.00 Additional based on course enrolled
(See Course Catalog)
Band Instrument Rental $50.00 Additional if enrolled
Band Uniform Cleaning Fee $10.00 Additional if enrolled & issued a uniform
Band Uniform Rental (9-12) $20.00 Additional if enrolled & issued a uniform
Course materials TBD Additional based on course enrolled
(See Course Catalog)
Drivers Education Fee * $150.00 Additional if enrolled
Graduation Fee – Gr 12 $30.00 Additional for graduates
National Honor Society Fee $5.00 Additional if qualified
Parking Permit $60.00 Optional for Juniors & Seniors only
P.E. Lock $4.25 Additional for 9th if not available from
previous year
P.E. Uniform TBD Additional if taking P.E.
Sport Fee $60.00 Optional (Max. $150.00 if multi-sport/
club student)
Yearbook Fee TBD Optional
* Additional fees not paid by due date will result in student being dropped from class.


Middle school
Book fee $65
Registration Fee $35
Band Instrument Rental $50.00 Additional if enrolled
Band Lock $4.25 Additional if enrolled
Band Uniform Cleaning Fee $10.00 Additional if enrolled & issued a uniform
Band Uniform Rental (6-8) $15.00 Additional if enrolled & issued a uniform
Club Fee $10.00 Additional if enrolled
Graduation Fee – Gr 8 $20.00 Additional for graduates
National Jr. Honor Society Fee $5.00 Additional if qualified
P.E. Lock $4.25 Additional for 6th, optional otherwise
P.E. Uniform TBD Additional for 6th, optional otherwise
Sport Fee $20.00 Additional if enrolled
(Max. $50 if multi-sport/club student)
Yearbook Fee TBD Optional

Elementary School
Registration Fee $10.00
Book Fee $40.00


Early Childhood (ages 3-5 for Special Ed Students)
Registration Fee $10.00
Book Fee $30.00