If you've ever cringed at the cost of registering your children for school, relief may be at hand. A new proposal would lower those costs by dropping the fees each student pays to use textbooks. News Specialist, Nadine Wimmer, reports it could save some parents as much as 50-dollars a child.
For a "free" education, parents must pay up to $50 for textbook fees, $30 for activities fees, $30 for a yearbook, $15 for computer lab fees. The list goes on. (Click here for a list of fees by District)
Students who take science, drama, debate, even home economic, have to pay extra.
Debi Carlisle is a parent who paid over $500, and says, "I've talked to parents who pay monthly installments."
Debi helps operate her family video business, knowing her family will need the money--if not for registration fees, then to pay for high school sports, music classes and school clothes.
Educators say it's a simple lesson, they hope legislators agree. Students can't get a free education, if they have to pay for books. Alpine School District Superintendent, Steven Baugh, says, "Free public education ought to include a textbook or two."
So a group of education leaders proposes eliminating textbook fees.
Instead of parents paying, they want lawmakers to include the costs in school budgets. Baugh warns, "If we have fees deleted and no revenue to supplant it, we're in big trouble as school districts."
Proponents will argue, it's only right. After all, students shouldn't base their class selection on what they can afford.
Educators will make their pitch tomorrow to lawmakers. So parents, stay tuned.