Board approves waiver of elementary student fees; middle and high school fees unchanged

The Coffee County Board of Education on July 14 approved a revision to the district’s student-fee structure that eliminates required fees at the elementary-school level while leaving middle school, Raider Academy and high-school fees unchanged. Board members described the change as a strategy to remove cost barriers at the elementary level. "Our recommendation is our elementary schools require 0 fees," the superintendent said during the meeting. Members asked how the state fee-waiver funding will be used in the new structure. Staff explained the state fee-waiver dollars still apply and can be used to cover field trips, instructional fees and other allowable costs; if fee-waiver funds are exhausted, the district will supplement remaining eligible costs from its budget. A board member urged principals to “be creative” in spending waiver funds for student benefit. The motion to approve the revised fee structure passed 5–1. The record shows one board member voted no; the superintendent and other trustees voted in favor. The board discussed continuing guidance for principals on allowable uses of recorded fee-waiver funds and planned to provide further direction if needed.