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Board approves first reading of revised school-fee schedule; administrators warn of $2M shortfall in fee revenue
Summary
The board accepted a revised multi-page maximum fee schedule on first reading. The new state law eliminates the district’s general registration fee and restricts fees for courses that count toward core graduation requirements, creating an estimated $2 million shortfall the district must address.
Administrators presented a revised, multi-page school-fee schedule and the board approved it as a first reading on March 4. The administration said changes respond to a newly finalized state law that narrows which courses may carry fees and removes the district’s previously charged high-school registration fee.
The presentation explained that beginning in the 2026–27 school year the law requires districts to ensure at least one full pathway exists for any student to earn required credits for graduation without fees. The district said it plans to offer district-run online courses without fees to preserve that pathway rather than directing students to third-party providers (which can cost the district in WPU transfers).
Administrators said the law forbids fees for non-fee courses (English, health, mathematics, science, social studies) and disallows a general registration fee for high schools. The district’s high-school general fee had been $65 per student; junior-high general fee was $40. School leaders told the board that the loss of the general fee and changes to allowable fees will reduce school-level discretionary funds and that the district estimates the fiscal impact at roughly $2,000,000.
The new fee schedule includes a detailed spend plan for each fee type and updated maximums for extracurriculars and course-specific charges (for example, increases to some athletics and performing-arts caps, a new e-sports fee, and adjustments tied to inflation). Administrators said team-required fundraisers remain permitted but the law separates optional individual fundraisers from mandatory team fundraising in how totals are counted toward maximums.
Board members approved the schedule on first reading and staff said they will return with final spend plans for each program; the board and administrators noted they will need to consider district support or fundraising strategies to cover programs previously funded by the now-restricted fees.
