Board tables decision on 2025–26 school fees after questions about inconsistent high‑school parking charges
Summary
Trustees voted to table approval of the district’s proposed school fee schedule so principals can reconcile differences between high schools — notably parking‑permit charges and a senior parking‑space fundraiser at West Columbus High School.
The Columbus County Board of Education voted to table final approval of the district’s proposed 2025–26 school fee schedule after trustees raised questions about inconsistent parking‑permit practices across high schools.
Board members discussed a discrepancy during the school‑fee agenda item: East Columbus High School does not charge a parking‑permit fee, while West Columbus and South Columbus include parking fees in their published fee schedules. At least one high‑school campus has a senior‑parking personalized space fundraiser (painting parking spaces) that had already begun raising money; board members said students who had already paid should not be required to pay again.
"We have to be consistent. It's either gotta be all or none," a board member said during discussion. The board’s motion to table — made by Dr. Strickland and seconded by Mr. Enser — passed by voice vote; the board directed staff and principals to return with reconciled information at the next meeting.
Superintendent Beck said school fees had been submitted after school started and acknowledged the need to adopt a timeline so fee schedules are approved before the opening of the next school year. Board members recommended that school fees be approved annually before July 1 going forward.
At the same meeting the board separately approved fundraiser requests for the 2025–26 school year, including the senior personalized‑parking‑space fundraiser at West Columbus listed among approved fundraisers; board members said the board will reconcile fundraising activities with any future fee policy.
