Board considers fees: communication charge and optional device protection plan for grades 5–12

Dr. Miller told the board that a state change folded the previous curricular materials allocation into the general per‑pupil allocation and that the district may not charge for curricular materials but can charge for noncurricular items. He proposed a communication fee to cover items such as handbooks, graduation‑pathway costs, PowerSchool and district notification systems: $27 for pre‑K–3 and $31 for grades 4–12 (the numbers were calculated from per‑student costs and rounded). The superintendent and staff emphasized curricular materials remain covered by state allocation and that these fees are for communications and noncurricular services. Dr. Miller also presented an optional protection plan for district devices used by students in grades 5–12. The plan has three options: opt out; Tier 1 (one incident covered) for $33; or Tier 2 (two incidents covered) for $45. Dr. Miller said most families who choose the plan select the one‑incident option. He explained that families who opt out will be charged for repairs or replacement if a device is damaged (for example, a broken screen). Dr. Miller said the district will not offer the protection plan for grades K–4 because the devices there are older and the district believes it can cover replacements for those grades. The board approved the fee package in a motion during the consent process; the motion carried in the roll call that followed.