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Newport News presents 2024–25 student fees and handbook revisions; board presses for details on uniforms and device policies
Summary
Officials presented the 2024–25 student fee schedule (fees for arts, CTE, iSTEM, driver education, Chromebook replacement) and proposed handbook changes that move some repeated minor physical altercations from level 2 to level 3 disciplinary responses; board members requested follow-up on band-uniform rotation and device loaner policies.
District staff presented the proposed 2024–25 student fee schedule and recommended revisions to the rights and responsibilities handbook at the June 18 board meeting.
Dr. Felicia Barnett outlined fee categories and amounts: middle- and high-school visual and performing arts fees (to cover resources, rentals and uniforms); career-technical education fees of $5–$10 depending on course; iSTEM semester fees $5/$10 annually; driver education fees of $225 for district students and $250 for non-residents; and replacement costs for damaged Chromebooks up to $125 for the first occurrence. Barnett emphasized equity considerations and said payment arrangements and waivers are available to prevent denial of access.
Board members asked specifically whether loaner devices are provided when families cannot immediately pay replacement costs; Barnett confirmed schools maintain loaner devices and staff will work with families. Members also pressed for a band-uniform replacement cycle; staff said they are developing a rotation to ensure equity across schools and will return with specific timelines.
Separately, staff reviewed proposed handbook revisions recommended by the advisory committee after a review of incident data. The committee proposed moving behaviors categorized as shoving, pushing and non-injurious biting from a level 2 response to a level 3 response, which allows a broader set of interventions including short-term out-of-school suspension (1–3 days) for elementary students in some circumstances. Staff emphasized progressive discipline, behavior interventions, and administrative homebound or in-building alternatives to avoid academic loss for younger students.
Board members asked how the change would affect attendance/retention risk for students and whether short-term suspension sites exist for K–3; staff replied that removal from school is a last resort, that administrative homebound and in-building wraparound services are available, and that the district's short-term suspension alternative site serves grades 4–12 currently.
Staff said the revised handbook language will be provided in draft form for the board's July meeting and posted for stakeholder review.
