Policy JQ- Student Fees, Fines and Charges
Students shall not be charged an instructional fee as a condition of enrollment in a school or as a condition of attendance in any class that is considered part of the academic portion of the District's educational program except tuition when allowed by law. However, the district may require non-indigent students to pay textbook fees, fees for expendable supplies not provided free and miscellaneous fees as provided in this policy. All textbook and miscellaneous fees shall be adopted by the board and used for purposes collected.
TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY RESOURCES
All nonexpendable Textbooks except for those used in advance placement courses shall be provided on a loan basis and must be returned to the school at the end of the term. It is expected that students shall return textbooks and library resources to the school in good condition except for ordinary wear. Students shall be assessed for lost, damaged or defaced books (including those checked out from the library), materials or equipment. Schools may require students to pay direct costs of textbooks that become the personal property of the student. High Schools may require students to pay direct cost of workbooks for elective courses. Schools may assess reasonable fines for not returning textbooks and library books.
If the school district has made a reasonable effort to obtain payment for lost or damaged textbooks or library resources, but has not collected all assessed costs, the district may then withhold the diploma, transcript or grades of any student who fails to return or replace such textbooks or library resources at the end of the semester or school year. If a student is graduating/continuating, the district may deny the privilege of participation in the graduation/continuation ceremony if the student has failed to return or replace a textbook or library resource by the date of the ceremony.
Indigent students shall not be required to pay for lost or damaged books or library resources. A student shall not be refused use of textbooks or workbooks based on failure to pay the required fees if such is necessary to complete the actual academic portion of the educational program.
FEES FOR EXPENDABLE SUPPLIES
Schools with the approval of the area superintendent may charge students a fee for expendable supplies used in a course. Fees for expendable supplies shall relate directly to the actual cost of providing these supplies to the student. These fees cannot be charged for general overhead or costs of staff development. These fees shall be waived for indigent students.
MISCELLANEOUS FEES
Schools are authorized to collect miscellaneous fees as a condition of participation or attendance at a school-sponsored activity or program not within the academic portion of the educational program. Student participation in such activities shall be optional. Students may be asked to pay miscellaneous fees and expenses as a condition of attending, participating in, or obtaining materials/clothing equipment used in a school-sponsored activity or program.
Schools may assess rental fees not to exceed the direct cost of such use for the use of items such as choral robes, band uniforms and school-owned instruments.
Students participating in activities that are not required by the teacher or used in the determination of a grade
may be required to pay charges covering the cost of the activity without further action of the Board of Education. Such charges may include but are not limited to admission fees, food costs and transportation costs on activity trips. However, it is incumbent upon the teacher and principal to make every effort to be sure no student is denied the right to participate in trips or other enrichment activities because of lack of funds.
WAIVER OF FEES
All fees, fines and charges for textbooks, workbooks and expendable supplies required for classes within the academic portion of the educational program shall be waived for indigent students. For purposes of determining if a student is able to pay, an indigent student is defined as any child who is eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the federal poverty income guidelines.
FEE SCHEDULE
The district shall prepare and make available upon request a complete list of student fees, describing how the amount of each fee was derived and the purpose of each fee.
Parents shall be informed of the fee schedule or otherwise regarding how to apply for a waiver of fees, whether fees are voluntary or mandatory and the specific activity from which the student will be excluded if the fee is not paid. Students qualifying for a fee waiver will receive the waiver without unnecessary embarrassment or public exposure of their need.
Portions adopted September 2, 1958, September 4, 1963 and December 22, 1972
Revised to conform with practice: date of manual adoption
Repeal/revised June 17, 2004
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-109(1)(U) (Fee textbooks to indigent students w/o loss/damage deposit)
IX Colorado Constitution Section 2
C.R.S. 22-32-110(1)(O) (Textbooks for free or reasonable rental fee)
C.R.S. 22-32-110(1)(JJ) (Sanctions for failing to return textbooks and library resources)
C.R.S. 22-32-117 (Fees)
C.R.S. 22-32-118 (Summer school fees)
C.R.S. 22-45-104 (Disposition of moneys collected from fines and fees)
CROSS REFS.: EFC, Free and Reduced Price Food Services
IHCD, Advanced College Placement