School fees and such

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
School fees and such
67
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 6:47pm

For those of you that don't read the dyk thread, we have been talking about school fees in public schools.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 8:05pm

School fees are also illegal in public schools in Ontario. No child can be denied an education because of funds. That's why we pay taxes, every request for payment must be clearly noted as optional. The only fees we have are about $7 for an agenda and our school asks for $25 for each kid to pay for things like wood for woodworking, but again, purely optional. If the parent doesn't want to pay their child still gets the agenda and of course participates in woodworking class. There has been a real push by parent councils in the last couple of years to make sure that parents understand that they do NOT have to pay those fees and their child can not be punished. Many people thought it was required. We also have a huge immigrant population many of whom come from cultures where school fees are mandatory so may not understand the process, hence the push to make it clear that if you don't have the money or don't want to pay for any reason its okay.


Now of course things like field trips, ski clubs, etc.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2007
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 8:40pm

I didn't read the link yet, but I am not happy with both my kids' schools asking for a lot of money, IMO.
So far, here's what I've paid:

Orchestra fee:$100 (our district has cut way back on music and almost eliminated it)
Dress for orchestra: $85
PE clothes: $40
Middle School yearbook: $45
High School ID card and agenda: $45

I still need to get the HS yearbook for $60...and both schools are asking for donations for various things I haven't paid yet:

Woodshop $60 donation
Spanish: $15

And they request we join the parent clubs for donations of $50 a piece....and donate to technology, etc. And join band boosters and athletic club if she does high school soccer.

So far: $215 and I'm not done yet with school supplies

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2007
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 8:42pm
When I was a kid, the school bus was free, now it's not. I don't remember my parents having to pay for much except for field trips.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 9:55pm

Well, I don't know how I feel about it being illegal or not, but if they tack more taxes on, then you'd be hearing from EVERYBODY.

I know Louisiana cannot charge for textbook usage (public or private schools--thank you Huey P. Long).

I remember something about Louisiana/free buses when I was in my first education class--so I think public schools must have free buses (and for the most part, it doesn't matter how close you live--buses can pick you up--we live within a half-mile of Aly's elem school and they picked her up, but they didn't pick up behind the school because the buses couldn't get in that subdivision).

As a teacher, I know there's a limited amount of money, and a very strict policy for how that money is spent no matter where it comes from...local, state, federal, parents.

For Aly, I paid $20 instructional fee and $25 band fee (includes music books & other things--still had to buy the instrument!). Club dues/fees may include money that has to be paid outside of the school (4-H, National Jr. Beta), but also for appreciation gifts for bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria, counselor, & librarian. And then whenever they go on trips or do things, whatever money that's available is used then parents pay the rest. (Fund raisers usually aren't even worth it.)

Speaking of fund raisers--our school only has one sales-type fund raiser--World's Finest Chocolate (an excuse for me to buy chocolate...OKAY!).

I went to a private school most of my life, then I don't remember paying fees after that. I know I was on free lunch through 11th grade, then reduced in 12th grade.



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2004
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 10:01pm

School fees are often (but not always) for discretionary items.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 10:11pm

I think my high school charged parking fees, but were wishy-washy about it. Wasn't much--$3-5 or something like that. (Like I remember--back when the dinosaurs were around...lol).



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2004
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 10:34pm

Ours are at least $100, but I think they are closer to

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 10:49pm

Yes, you are right when it comes down to paying such fees as, playing in the school band, going on such trips like DC or Montreal.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 10:51pm
150 bucks for a parking fee?????

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 11:03pm

I don't

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