Huron board approves summer-school fees after debate over cost and equity
Summary
The Huron Board of Education voted Jan. 12 to approve a summer-school program with a revised registration fee schedule (amended to $75 with scaled concessions) to cover teacher-of-record costs and encourage student follow-through; board members discussed refunds, teacher pay and reduced-rate provisions.
The Huron Board of Education on Jan. 12 approved a summer-school application that establishes a student registration fee to help cover teacher-of-record costs and improve course completion rates.
Board members debated an initial $50 proposal before amending the motion to set the full registration fee at $75 with scaled reduced rates. "If a student begins this and doesn't finish it, they would be paying for the class, but, we're not going to transcribe that on their record," said Mr. Mittlestad, the district staff member who presented the plan, describing the program's no-refund policy once summer classes begin.
The proposal responds to new state requirements that districts provide a teacher of record for online summer coursework and to local experience: Mr. Mittlestad told the board that about half of students who signed up last summer did not complete courses, creating recurring costs for licenses, technical setup and teacher oversight. He said the district currently pays annual licensing fees for the Edgenuity platform and that a modest fee would help "fray the cost" without placing Huron near the higher prices charged in larger districts.
Board members pressed for clarity on several points: whether fees would cover teacher stipends, how the district would handle low enrollment for a course, and accommodations for students on free or reduced-price lunch. "We can and then if you notice too, we have made some concessions for students who are on free and reduced lunch," Mr. Mittlestad said, explaining the district can scale fees and exempt or reduce costs for qualifying students. Another board member said the fee might need to be higher to avoid running a deficit if few students enroll.
After discussion and an amended motion, the board approved the summer-school application and the amended fee schedule by voice vote. The agenda packet lists specific course offerings and indicates the district will assign a certified teacher of record for each enrolled student when required.
The board voted to revisit fee levels in future years as needed; the motion carries with no roll-call tally recorded.
