RICHMOND
Class dues, gym-uniform payments and fees for electives such as art and lab sciences are part of the back-to-school costs for many families around Virginia.
The state Board of Education took a look Thursday at the results of a survey of school divisions on school fees. It found that nearly all of the 83 districts that responded charge their students for something.
JustChildren, a legal aid center for families in central Virginia, is questioning the legality of many school fees. It has petitioned the board to revise the regulations covering fees and charges.
The state constitution requires public schools to be free. Schools are allowed to charge for optional or ancillary services or activities but not as a condition of enrollment, according to opinions over the years from the state attorney general's office.
The survey, conducted by the state Department of Education, found school divisions interpret the rules very differently.
In Norfolk, for example, students are charged $10 for gym uniforms, and in Virginia Beach a cap and gown cost about $20, according to survey responses.
Some school divisions, including Portsmouth, charge fees but don't have a policy for exempting students and families with financial hardships.
Previous legal opinions have allowed schools to charge for driver's education, lockers and parking.
But many divisions indicated that they charge fees for elective classes such as art, music, band, lab sciences, and career and technical offerings.
Angela Ciolfi, a staff attorney with JustChildren, noted that students must take electives to earn a standard diploma.
"You shouldn't have to choose your electives based on what you can afford," she said.
The fees, which can total several hundred dollars a year, are a burden for low-income families, Ciolfi said. But she doesn't blame the schools.
"Local governments are tapped out," she said. "Schools are just desperate for other sources of revenue."
Beginning Monday, the board will accept public comment for 21 days on whether it should change the regulations. Comments can be sent to policy@doe.virginia.gov or to Policy Office, Virginia Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218.
If the board acts, it likely will take 18 months to two years to revise the regulations, said Anne Wescott, state assistant superintendent for policy and communications.
In the interim, state Superintendent Billy K. Cannaday Jr. could choose to clarify the rules with a memo to school divisions.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Okay free but where...
I understand that public school is supposed to be free, BUT in some cases fees must be paid, for instance class dues pay for activities like senior week and prom and other activities that the students enjoy. As for the fees for lost or damaged books, we are supposed to be teaching them responsibility and consequences right? Plus the state does not give the schools enough money to pay for additional programs like Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment, not to mention the the dual enrollment money goes to community colleges. Plus, if the state says that these items can not be charged for, one of two things will happen, either the programs will not happen or as usual they will take it from teacher's raises and not add additional teachers that are needed. Why not be more concerned with high schools with 30+students in a core area SOL tested class.
Not Free!
It will absolutely cost you in Virginia Beach, not only just money, but grades. You must buy an official gym uniform for PE. If you do not wear this official uniform, it will cost you points on your GRADE for the class for not "dressing out." If a teacher requests specific supplies you must buy those specific supplies, and by a certain time mind you, or your child will lose points on their grade. Are they supposed to do this? No. But the school system allows this practice to take place. Free... nope. I can understand paying for Summer School because that would be considered extra and above the regular FREE school year. But pay for electives during the regular school year that will be needed to get your standard diploma... sounds like hustling to me. If a school system requires anything... it should be FREE!
If it's really supposed to be free
If it's really supposed to be free, they're going to have to refund me a hundred thousand or so that I've been paid in taxes over the years that went directly to the schools.
In any case, the tax payer shouldn't be covering personal use consumable items. They have to charge for lost textbooks or the things would never come back for the next year. Charging for lockers? When did they start that?
School Fees
I can't believe that public schools have the nerve to charge these ludicrous fees. Not to mention all the numerous fund raisers that they get the children to participate in as well. Maybe if the schools had a lot less bloated overpaid administration and used that money for school operations they wouldn't have to shakedown parents in a shameless game of Feenopoly.