Millard board affirms student-fee policy and adopts rule after public concern over waiver awareness and equity

The Millard Public Schools Board of Education on May 12 reaffirmed its student-fee policy and approved the district rule that sets out fee types, waiver availability and administrative procedures after a public hearing and extended board discussion.

Parent Allison Kinney Walker told the board she appreciated that a waiver exists for families on free or reduced-price lunch but said she did not know about it until reading the rule that day. “I’m unsure if all parents and guardians know about this waiver,” Walker said during the hearing, and urged clearer outreach so families would “feel comfortable asking for help and that there’s no stigma attached to that waiver process.”

The board’s discussion that followed focused on how waiver information is communicated and on the broader accumulation of optional and requested contributions that families face during the school year. Board member Stacy Jolley said she shared Walker’s concerns and described conversations with district staff about how waivers are used and how the district supports families. “There might be families who wouldn’t qualify for that waiver of free and reduced lunch, but are still nonetheless experiencing hardship,” Jolley said.

District staff told the board waivers exist for students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch and that practices for notifying families vary by school. Counselors, social workers and bookkeepers commonly follow up with families when a need is identified, and administrators said many extracurricular sponsors and coaches notify families at pre-season or program meetings about fees and the process for assistance. A staff member described the process: families who qualify are directed to a bookkeeper or the school’s activity secretary and staff will work with them.

Board members praised existing informal supports — including the Millard Foundation and school-level outreach — but said transparency could improve so families can distinguish between required fees and optional fundraisers or supply requests. Trustees also noted the board set no district-wide fee increases this year.

After the hearing and debate, the board moved to reaffirm Policy 67-50 (Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment — Student Fees) and to adopt the accompanying rule (Rule 67-50.1 as listed on the agenda). The motions carried on a roll-call vote; the rule was approved and will govern fee collection and waiver procedures going forward.

What the actions mean: The rule and policy set the district’s formal framework for fees and waivers but do not create new waiver categories; district staff said the rule codifies existing practice and that school-based staff will continue to handle individual requests. Board members asked administration to review outreach methods so families learn about available assistance earlier and with less stigma.

Board President Linda Poole opened the public hearing by citing state requirements that govern annual student-fee hearings: “Section 79-2134 of the Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fee Authorization Act requires that annually, each school board hold a public hearing ... for the purpose of addressing the proposed student fees policy,” she said.

Next steps: Administration will implement the rule and staff said they will share information internally about standardizing how waiver information is presented at school activity meetings and in parent communications.