3520 - Student Fees, Fines, or Charges

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

The superintendent or designee 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 or designee to establish appropriate fees and procedures governing the collection of such 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. For programs governed by the National School Lunch Act, the USDA Child Nutrition Program guidelines will be used to determine qualifications for waiver. The superintendent or designee will establish a procedure for annually notifying parents of the availability of fee waivers and reductions, including eligibility information for free or reduce-price meals.

A student will be responsible for the cost of replacing materials or property which are lost or damaged due to negligence. A student’s diploma may be withheld until restitution is made by payment or the equivalency through community service. The student or his/her parents may appeal the imposition of a charge for damage to the superintendent or designee 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 or designee and to the board of directors. When damages are in excess of $100, the appeal process for long-term suspension will apply.

Cross References: 

Board Policy 3115 - Students Experiencing Homelessness – Enrollment Rights and Services

Board Policy 3231 - Student Records

Board Policy 3241 - Student Discipline

Board Policy 2020 - Curriculum Development and Adoption of Instructional Materials

Legal References:

42 U.S.C 11431 et seq. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

RCW 28A.220.040 Fiscal support–Reimbursement to school district-Enrollment fees-deposit

RCW 28A.225.330 Enrolling students from other districts—Requests for information and permanent records-Withheld transcripts —Immunity from liability Notification to teachers and security personnel - rules

RCW 28A.320.230(f)  Instructional materials – Instructional Material’s Committee

RCW 28A.330.100   Additional powers of board

RCW 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, #  No. 113 Districts - Schools - Fees — Tuition Supplies —Authority of school districts to charge tuition fees or textbook fees

AGO 1973, No. 11     Districts - Schools - Tuition and Fees Authority of school districts to charge various fees 

Management Resources:

2021 June Issue        

2019 - July

2018 – May Issue

Policy News, June 1999 School Safety Bills Impact Policy

Adoption: August 15, 2005

Revised: December 19, 2005; October 7, 2015; February 6, 2019, August 3, 2022

 

Administrator Responsibilities: