More Letters: Class Fees/Supply Lists

Another perspective on the issue of class fees and school supply costs.

Dear SP-Eye,
Thank you for covering the "class fees" issue within the school district! I have to admit that over the years I simply just wrote out a check for whatever fees were listed for the grade and school that my kids were entering at that time. I also went out and purchased whatever supplies were listed for my kids respective classes. This year I inked a check to the tune of about $95 per kid and an additional $25 for one kid that is involved in middle school athletics.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that the current school my kids are attending returned $9,618 of their annual budget allocation last year! In addition, they returned an another $5,928 that was allocated to the school's athletic program!!! That money surely could have gone to offset some of the fees that the parents are paying out of pocket.

Now in the district's infinite wisdom they came up with a proposed budget that will cut schools and programs to the tune of $250,000 or so and at the same time they are increasing the budget by over $1.7 million to pay for salary and fringe benefit increases the board approved a few months ago.

This is a complete mess and someone needs to be held accountable. School and program budgets should be fully funded and parents should not have to pay a thing until the complete allocation is spent down. Likewise, employment contracts should not ever be considered until the board gets a full budget picture that takes into consideration current income and expenses.

Keep up the good work!

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST
NOTE: SP-EYE will print names of those individuals who do not request anonymity. Sadly (and understandably) we get letters from folks who either work for the school district, or parents with children in the district. These individuals sincerely fear retaliation. And we respect that.