School Fees
A maximum allowed fee structure for all SD83 schools was established by the Board at its meeting on Tuesday, and to ensure schools will have the necessary funds, an increase was made to school supply budgets.
Superintendent of Schools/CEO Peter Jory reported to the Board that local schools had developed significant variety in what was being charged for fees in recent years, and some had migrated away from the district’s own policy and the provincial School Act.
A working group was formed this year which looked at regulation and policy and set some maximum fees that were within both sets of guidelines.
The established schedule is: $35 for a school purchased supply package, $10 for a planner or agenda, $5 for a lock, $20 for an activity fee, and $10 for cultural performance for a maximum total of $80.
During its budget process and after analysis by senior leadership and consultation with schools, the Board increased school supply budgets for the coming year by $120,000 to help offset potential shortfalls. Lifts to school supply budgets for this year and next year will increase funding by approximately 20% compared to 2017-18.
“We’ve been pressing our parents to help fund programs and it leads to an uncomfortable dynamic between us and our community. We will now be in line with the School Act and our own policy, and I believe we will have better relationships with our community as a result.”
Jory did give Board an example of where optional fees may be charged. He said, for example, a project for a woodworking class might be to build speaker cases. “We would probably supply pine. If a student wanted to build it out of mahogany, they’d either have to supply the mahogany or pay to purchase the supplies from the teacher.” The materials chosen would not be relevant to the assessment of the project or the student’s opportunity for success.
Trustee Marty Gibbons commented to the Board that the changes will need to be monitored. “We need to make sure they have enough resources. We may need to increase amounts to ensure they have what they need.”
Jory agreed that it will need to be monitored. He also noted they did do an analysis or similar-sized districts and the funding support for the school supply budgets is based on information provided by the school principals. “Eighty per cent will be receiving more than what they had when they were collecting fees.” He also added, “Our supply funding levels will be close to or slightly above the mean.”
Schools will still charge for extra-curricular and optional activities.
Vice-chairperson Quentin Bruns commented he really likes the thought behind this. “It brings equity across the district and balances things out for parents that have different financial pressures.”
Chairperson Marianne VanBuskirk also expressed the Board’s thanks to the members of the working group for their efforts.