Box Elder School District plans to eliminate class fees using TSSA funds

The Box Elder School District Board meeting held on June 11, 2025, focused on the implications of House Bill 415, which will take effect on July 1, 2025. This new legislation prohibits school districts from charging a general fee for classes, requiring instead that fees be itemized per class. The bill mandates that students must have access to a free route to graduate, covering essential subjects such as math, science, language arts, social studies, health, physical education, career and technical education, and fine arts.

Historically, the district had implemented a standard fee system, where students paid a general fee of $91 along with a $25 student body fee, allowing them to take any class. With the new law, these fees will be eliminated, raising concerns about how students who do not qualify for fee waivers will manage potential increases in costs for individual classes. The board discussed two options: approving an itemized fee schedule or utilizing Teacher and Student Success Act (TSSA) funds to cover class fees entirely.

The TSSA funds, which are allocated for educational improvement, could potentially cover most class fees, allowing students to enroll in classes without financial barriers. The board expressed a preference for using TSSA funds to eliminate class fees, which would significantly reduce the financial burden on families, particularly those with multiple children in secondary education.

Concerns were raised about the sustainability of TSSA funding in future years, but district officials reassured that the program has been consistently funded by the state and is expected to continue. The discussion also highlighted the importance of ensuring that all students, regardless of their financial situation, have equal access to educational opportunities.

The board acknowledged that while some fees, such as those for Advanced Placement (AP) and concurrent enrollment classes, will still apply, the overall goal is to minimize costs for families. The meeting concluded with a consensus to move forward with a plan that would eliminate itemized class fees and utilize TSSA funds to support students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their educational pursuits.