Fees authorized by Law:       Textbook fees (Iowa Code 301.1)

                                           School Supplies *

                                           Eye and ear protective devices (280.10,.11)

                                           Driver education instructional fee (282.6)

                                           Tuition for summer school (282.6)

                                           Transportation for resident pupils attending public

                                              school who are not entitled to transportation (285.1)

 

Dillon’s Rule:              School boards may exercise those powers expressly given by statute or

                                  necessarily implied. 

 

 

 

 

 

• There is no case law or department decisions defining school supplies.  However, a 1993 attorney general opinion, which affirms a 1979 opinion states:  “We have addressed what fees may be charged for necessary school supplies under Iowa Code Section 301.1.  We held that the cost of items which were necessary or essential to the instruction of a class must be properly characterized as tuition rather than school supplies.  Examples were art supplies for art classes and chemicals for science classes.  In contrast, pencils, pens and paper used by students to take notes would be properly characterized as school supplies.”  Op. Att’y Gen. #93-7-3(L).

 

STUDENT FEE WAIVER AND REDUCTION PROCEDURES

The Board recognizes that while certain fees charged students are appropriate and authorized, certain students and their families are not financially able to pay the fees.  The school district will grant either full waivers, partial waivers or temporary waivers depending upon the circumstances and the student or student’s parents’ ability to meet the financial criteria.

A. Waivers -

1. Full Waivers - a student will be granted a full waiver of fees charged by the school district if the student or student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for free meals under the Child Nutrition program, Family Investment Program, Supplemental Security Income guidelines, or transportation assistance under open enrollment.  Students in foster care are also eligible for full waivers.

2. Partial Waivers - a student will be granted a partial waiver of fees charged by the school district if the student or the student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for reduced price meals offered under the Child Nutrition program.  A partial waiver shall be based on the same percentage as the reduced price meals.

3. Temporary Waivers - a student may be eligible for a temporary waiver of fees charged by the district in the event the student’s parents are facing financial difficulty.  Temporary waivers may be applied for at any time throughout the school year and shall not extend beyond the end of the school year.

B. Application - Parents or students eligible for a fee waiver shall make an application on the form provided by the school district.  Applications may be made at any time but must be renewed annually.

C. Confidentiality - The school district will treat the application and application process as any other student record and student confidentiality and access provisions will be followed.

D. Appeals - Denials of a waiver may be appealed to the Superintendent.

E. Fines or charges assessed for damage or loss to school property are not fees and will not be waived.

 F. Notice - the school district will annually notify parents and students of the waiver.  The following information will be included in registration materials and printed in the handbook:

                                  Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free

                                  and reduced price lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP),

                                  Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance

                                  under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to

                                  have their student fees waived or partially waived.  Students

                                  whose families are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty

                                  may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees.  Parents

                                  or students who believe they may qualify for temporary financial

                                  hardship should contact the school nurse for a waiver form.  This

                                  waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be

                                  completed annually.

 

Approved:    10/13/97                Reviewed:    10/99

                                                                      6/06

                                                                       2/16