Reinstated student fees could help boost budget
Move would add about $280,000
Greenfield — The Whitnall School Board may decide to reinstate the student fees it waived for the 2009-10 school year.
The board last year put a moratorium on most student fees, at least for this school year, in light of the economic recession hitting many families in the community.
But lifting that moratorium could mean $280,000 generated in revenue, sorely needed for a school district facing a possible $1 million to $3 million budget hole.
Several parents who spoke to the board said they don't mind paying higher fees if that means programs and teachers are kept.
About 75 people attended Monday's School Board meeting, many to hear a discussion on reconfiguring the elementary schools but also with opinions on the student fee issue.
Under administrators' proposal, many of the fees in areas such as parking, athletics, instrumental music and the general school fee would rise slightly from the amount in the 2008-09 school year.
For example, the cost for adults to use the high school fitness center would rise from $70 to $100, while students would pay a new fee of $20 to use the facility in the summer.
Sports fees would rise from $50 to $75, the high school student fee would go up from $85 to $90 and parking for high school students would be $75 per semester.
Even if fees are reinstated, it still wouldn't completely cover the expense of extracurricular activities, though it would greatly help defray the cost. The total expense for extracurriculars is about $368,000, or about $88,000 more than the reinstated fees would raise.
Board member T.J. Anderson, who proposed the moratorium last year, said he remains against imposing the fees.
Extracurricular activities are such an important part of a student's educational experience that the entire community should help take care of the cost, he said.
"Kids that are involved are kids that excel," Anderson said.
Officials said during Monday's School Board meeting they want more students participating in extracurricular activities, especially at the high school.
About 60 percent of high school students are involved in a sport, club or activity, a percentage Anderson said he wants to see rise to 100.
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