Registration Fees - Rant

[kamik86]

My high school had class dues but they were not really mandatory. They harped on you to pay them but if you didn't you just couldn't go to prom, the other dances, the senior class field trip, and you wouldn't get a yearbook. Our fees were 80 if you paid freshman year, 90 if you paid in 3 installments over your first 3 years, or 100 if you paid 25 each year. They liked having the money earlier so they could plan more at the beginning of the year what we have for funds for trips then have to wait for money to come in senior year.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

My husband works for an educational software company that schools and/or school districts purchase for use in their classrooms and computer labs. Basically they are games that kids play to help them learn concepts. It costs an obscene amount of $$ to purchase the product (I want to say $75K) and then $20K a year for updates and for him to be the support person they can contact to do trainings on the software.

My point is....if school districts can blow $$ on computer games...they can provide supplies for the classroom and not charge the tax-paying parents!!

On the other hand, thank goodness all the disticts all over the country are buying the product his company makes, b/c it is paying my bills.

 

[princessmom29]

I just had to chime in. That is bogus re: sheet music. Every year does your music teacher throw out the music from previous years? They don't NEED to buy new music. In our schools and in the schools of my music teacher friends, there are hundreds of different songs, each with the accompanying 30 + copies.

To OP, I feel for you! We're not there yet, but I am so dreading it and will be the first to question all the fees. Some are definitely unnecessary imho. How terrible to have to fork up that much money!

Music gets lost by studnets, shee music wears out and must be replaced. Copyright laws are pretty strict and the music teachers here get checked by the district as to wether they are copying it or buying new. So yes, there is some music that needs to be purchased every year to replace what is lost or damaged. Plus, they do eventually have to buy something different once that have used the same christmas music 5 times in a row.

 

[Shleedogg]

Music gets lost by studnets, shee music wears out and must be replaced. Copyright laws are pretty strict and the music teachers here get checked by the district as to wether they are copying it or buying new. So yes, there is some music that needs to be purchased every year to replace what is lost or damaged. Plus, they do eventually have to buy something different once that have used the same christmas music 5 times in a row.

Good points, but I still don't buy that they need to charge every kid a $25 fee. Ridiculous. There are hundreds, probably thousands of copies of various songs, there is no need to use a Christmas song 5 years in a row. This is just plain laziness on the part of your music teacher; that he/she won't take the time to look and see what they have. And they let the kids take the music out of the room? That's their mistake then that music gets lost, should come out of their own pockets.

I think too often wants and needs get confused. In the past when there was better funding, and each dept had extra money to be divided among teachers, I can see how they got used to buying new music every year. It is clearly not a necessity. In today's current financial situation, I think everyone needs to be a little more considerate of the families that are being asked to fork over this money. It can be done without new things. It's not the teachers' responsibility to pay for classroom supplies, nor is it the parents'. If science labs are required, then they are required. The state should pay for it. Why not just sit back and make them? I just can't wrap my head around why people just blindly follow like sheep instead of standing up for themselves.

 

[momplus3]

I am amazed that there are public schools that charge hundreds of dollars in fees! We do not have public school fees where we live. We do receive a list of school supplies the 1st week of school but the school does supply some things as well. There is a fee for field trips but usually only for ones to DC and Baltimore (we live 2 hours west of these 2 places).

My DS11 will be starting middle school in 2 weeks and we will have to purchase a PE uniform - around $15.

Sports (baseball, football) in elementary school and middle school are community based, not school based, so there are fees for those.

 

[daughtersrus]

I have to pay a $65 registration fee plus a $75 book fee to our local school district for my daughter. I don't have a problem with the registration fee but my DD doesn't use ANY books. She is severely disabled and goes to a "day school" program.

I'm tempted to ask them for her books when I go to our local high school later this week to pay the fees.

That actually sickens me.

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.

 

[Green Tea]

Kids in Indiana pay hundreds for 'book rental fees.' I STILL don't understand how they get away with it. I have told friends I would demand to have the book list and I'll buy them myself for $300. They say that's not allowed.When we question why there's not money for books but there are for stupid fancy electronic signs they say they are different budget categories by law. I have one idea to cut the budget- they could cut the length of the school year which starts tomorrow!

I really hope to move by the time we have school aged kids but if we don't we will likely home school.

This was deemed illegal where I grew up. It went against the "free" part of education.

 

[disneyelaine]

Just thought that I'd post an update.

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.

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.

WOW, Just WOW! This is the very attitude that causes me to lose faith in school educator/administrators/workers! How dare they!

I'd be seeing if you could get back all the previous years you paid "book fees" too!

 

[Green Tea]

My kids in public school have never paid registration fees or course fees. I just bought the high school text books on Amazon from individual sellers for my child in a private school. I paid less than some of you are paying to rent for the year. That is crazy.

I expect supply lists for grade school, but these other fees you are talking about sound crazy.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

So what happens to the kids that can't afford it? Sports is an extra curricular so that's excusable. If a kids parents can't pay a lab fee, do you kick him out of the science class? If every one stop paying the fee, your high school is still lawfully required to provide Science classes aren't they?

I'm sorry, I don't pay fees and I'll fully wear the pain in the #@$ tee shirt. This is a public school system, extra curricular stuff no problem but my school district will provide my kid with a full education "free of charge" like they are supposed to. That is why I pay over 10K in property taxes.

Nowadays, I'm not even talking disadvantage kids. Middle income parents are strapped to the brink. Unemployment is 10%. I do write and call my legislator but schools will also have to start budgeting.

Tissue, hand sanitizer. no problem . heck I'll even throw in pencils and markers for my sons classes but I draw the line at fees. Where does it end. When it adds up to $500 a kid? That's how I got to this point. first it was $75.00 bucks, then 100, then 150. I finally said not another dime when my son was a freshmen and it hit 200 bucks. I've got 3 kids. This year, I haven't heard but rumor is that it will be around $225. Not gonna happen. If I'm going to spend 500 bucks for my son, I'll scrap up the money and send him to private school.

I'm right with you there! Our taxes are ridiculous!

We don't pay any fees for our public schools. We do get a "suggested" list of supplies from the teachers, but even those aren't mandatory.

We don't have any fees as of yet either. My 2 will be entering 8th & 5th grades.
We also get a list of school supplies; the typical stuff. We did take a vote at our elementary school a few years back to either keep selling wrapping paper or just pay a set fee per year with no fundraising. The vote passed to pay $80/year and not have to sell anything. It's a bit steep, but I can't stand pleading with people to buy $8 wrapping paper (granted it's nice quality) but still most people can easily buy decent stuff at the dollar store and it's good enough.
eta: ds13 does get a yearbook every year. It's $30 & you get the book and dvd too. I don't mind that. I did get one every year too when I was in school.
ds10's class usually asks for $5 per child for all parties throughout the year: Halloween, Holidays/Christmas, and end of year picnic. I think that's reasonable but it's crazy to pay specific fees for each class.
There would be a riot in our town hall.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

Which makes me wonder, how do the schools where it's not mandatory survive? some how they manage to teach.

You are right, there are tons of organizations giving out free book bags unfortunately you have to be on public assistance or below the poverty line. What a great choice, go on welfare to get the necessary things your child needs to go to a PUBLIC school. On what alternate reality is that ok?

I'm in new Jersey, I haven't run across 1 program that will cut some one a $250 check to cover school fees.

Actually I'm hoping that every parent refuses to pay and then see what happens. I think the schools fully expect to keep charging more and more without any thought as to how this is strapping the parents.

How about we split the difference, all teachers, principals and administrators forgo a raise for 1 year and I'll cough up half the fees.

My husband is a teacher and his yearly "raise" would barely cover your fees after taxes. And people like you expect him to reach into his own pocket and pay for your kids fees! He is the academic team coach and last year he had a parent stick him with teh cost of tshirt for one of the participants and when he nicely asked her to pay she went to administration and tried to get him fired! Over $10 tshirt! Are you kidding me! That is flat out stealing...her kid took home the shirt, she owes the money!

 

[Leajess99]

Just thought that I'd post an update.


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.

OMGosh, I so think some people need to be fired!!! Families with children having special needs are already taken advantage of on so many levels and for this school to attempt to do the same thing is very shameful. I can also understand needing your child out of the school that broke her leg. My youngest goes to school out of district due to the school she should be going to having a mold problem and her kindergarten teacher not giving her her inhaler as she needed it (because the school was causing her asthma to be out of control). Sometimes these people wanting to be in charge are seriously clueless. So glad you got the book fees dropped and only the registration fees had to be paid.

 

[Leajess99]

I'm right with you there! Our taxes are ridiculous!


We don't have any fees as of yet either. My 2 will be entering 8th & 5th grades.
We also get a list of school supplies; the typical stuff. We did take a vote at our elementary school a few years back to either keep selling wrapping paper or just pay a set fee per year with no fundraising. The vote passed to pay $80/year and not have to sell anything. It's a bit steep, but I can't stand pleading with people to buy $8 wrapping paper (granted it's nice quality) but still most people can easily buy decent stuff at the dollar store and it's good enough.

I have to say I think our best fundraiser is the Coke sales. You can buy a case of coke products to include powerade for $17. We do this fubdraiser twice a year and many people are willing to buy it as it ends up cheaper than what they are spending at the store especially if they are buying the single bottles at $1.49 each.

 

[My3kiddos]

I pay $150 for each of my highschoolers (nothing but supplies for my pre-k) and all that includes is a planner and school ID. I also have to pay lab fees that vary for each teacher, they are in the same Geometry class together but both have to have a TI-84 calculator, yearbook fees, prom tickets, fees to go to dances, and each teacher requires a special binder for their class. This along with the normal stuff adds up. I wouldn't care to pay it, BUT my kids aren't even allowed to bring a school book home to do homework ! That makes me fuming mad and I told a teacher about it last year and finally let my son bring his book home to use over the weekend. How do they expect kids to do homework without a darn book?

 

[Poohbear5]

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.

 

[hambirg]

My husband is a teacher and his yearly "raise" would barely cover your fees after taxes. And people like you expect him to reach into his own pocket and pay for your kids fees! He is the academic team coach and last year he had a parent stick him with teh cost of tshirt for one of the participants and when he nicely asked her to pay she went to administration and tried to get him fired! Over $10 tshirt! Are you kidding me! That is flat out stealing...her kid took home the shirt, she owes the money!

No one here thinks that your husband should have to pay the fees. We are just questioning why there are fees for required things. . .like books. I believe it's illegal. I don't think anybody should pay them. . .the state is suppose to provide those things as part of the free public education. If they are sooo short on cash that they can't supply kids with books to learn then they really should look at cutting admin salaries or positions. . .maybe not upgrading the computer lab every year. . .etc. .etc. I'm sorry your husband had to pay for that shirt. . .but I bet next year he won't pass them out until they're paid for. Lesson learned.

 

[Green Tea]

I wouldn't care to pay it, BUT my kids aren't even allowed to bring a school book home to do homework ! That makes me fuming mad and I told a teacher about it last year and finally let my son bring his book home to use over the weekend. How do they expect kids to do homework without a darn book?

Oh my gosh. Our county is about as poor a county as a county can be, BUT the kids have a set of text books to keep at home AND a classroom set. I can't imagine school not letting the kids bring the books home. That is unreal!!

 

[eliza61]

My husband is a teacher and his yearly "raise" would barely cover your fees after taxes. And people like you expect him to reach into his own pocket and pay for your kids fees! He is the academic team coach and last year he had a parent stick him with teh cost of tshirt for one of the participants and when he nicely asked her to pay she went to administration and tried to get him fired! Over $10 tshirt! Are you kidding me! That is flat out stealing...her kid took home the shirt, she owes the money!

I most certainly do not expect him to reach into his pocket. I have never ever asked a teacher to cover any expense I agreed to for my children.

You absolutely did not read my post, I have said over and over if my kid joins any type of "team" academic or sport or music I fully expect to pay the charge. What I am not willing to pay are these "fees" to take mandatory classes that he needs to graduate.
I am not paying a fee for my son to take Chemistry lab. My school district by state law has to provide a lab with all upper level science class. it's called PUBLIC school because the education is supposed to be FREE. In NJ the law requires that my kids go to school until H.S. free of charge

 

[My3kiddos]

Oh my gosh. Our county is about as poor a county as a county can be, BUT the kids have a set of text books to keep at home AND a classroom set. I can't imagine school not letting the kids bring the books home. That is unreal!!

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.

 

[mrsklamc]

My husband is a teacher and his yearly "raise" would barely cover your fees after taxes. And people like you expect him to reach into his own pocket and pay for your kids fees!

Not one person has said that. Not one person has said they refuse to pay for extra curricular activities or that they expect the teachers to make up the difference in classroom costs. We DO expect the state legislatures to allocate funds responsibly and we DO expect administrations (not classroom teachers) to spend money responsibly so there are not fees to attend public school, which by LAW is required to be free.