3520: Student Fees, Fines or Charges

The district will provide an educational program for the students as free of costs as possible.

The superintendent may approve the use of supplementary supplies or materials for which a charge is made to the student so long as the charge does not exceed the cost of the supplies or materials, students are free to purchase them elsewhere, or provide reasonable alternatives, and a proper accounting is made of all moneys received by staff for supplies and materials.

The board delegates authority to the superintendent to establish appropriate fees and procedures governing the collection of fees and to make annual reports to the board regarding fee schedules. Arrangements will be made for the waiver or reduction of fees for students whose families, by reason of their low income, would have difficulty paying the full fee. The USDA Child Nutrition Program guidelines will be used to determine qualification for waiver. Students placed in foster care or experiencing homelessness as verified by our McKenny-Vento and Foster Care Liaison will also qualify for the fee waiver program. The superintendent will establish a procedure for notifying parents of the availability of fee waivers and reductions. The superintendent will establish procedures to maximize access by eligible students to all school activities.

A student will be responsible for the cost of replacing materials or property which are lost or damaged due to negligence. A student's grades, transcripts or diploma may be withheld until restitution is made by payment or the equivalency through voluntary work.

The student or his/her parents may appeal the imposition of a charge for damages to the superintendent and board of directors. The student and his/her parents will be notified regarding the nature of the violation or damage, how restitution may be made, and how an appeal may be instituted. When the damages or fines do not exceed $100, the student or his/her parents will have the right to an informal conference with the principal. As is the case for appealing a short-term suspension, the principal's decision may be appealed to the superintendent and to the board of directors. When damages are in excess of $100, the appeal process for long-term suspension will apply. If a student has transferred to another school district that has requested the student's records, but that student has an outstanding fee or fine, records will be transferred according to Policy 3231.

Cross References

• Board Policy 3231 Student Records
• 3241 Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment
• 3115 Homeless Students – Enrollment Rights & Services
• 3116 Students in Foster Care

Legal References

• RCW 28A.220.040 Fiscal support — Reimbursement to school districts — Enrollment fees — Deposit
• 28A.225.330 Enrolling students from other districts — Requests for information and permanent records — withheld transcripts — Immunity for liability — Notification to teachers and security personnel — Rules
• 28A.320.230(f) Instructional materials — Instructional materials committee
• 28A.330.100 Additional powers of board
• 28A.635.060 Defacing or injuring school property — Liability of pupil, parent or guardian—Withholding grades, diplomas or transcripts — suspension and restitution — voluntary work program as alternative— Rights protected
• AGO 1965-66,#113 Fees — Tuition--Supplies — Authority of school districts to charge tuition fees or textbook fees
• AGO 1973, No. 11 Tuition & Fees — Authority of school districts to charge various fees
• RCW.28A.320.145 Support for homeless students
• 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act