Tooele school board approves 2026–27 student fee schedule amid objections over costs

The Tooele Board of Education voted to approve the district’s 2026–27 student fee schedule on a motion carried during its May meeting, adopting a state‑mandated cap on annual fee waivers and limits on waived out‑of‑state trips.

Board member Elizabeth moved to approve the fee schedule; the motion was seconded and carried after discussion. The new policy includes an annual waiver cap the district staff presented as $5,000 per student for covered fees and a legislative requirement limiting fee waivers for out‑of‑state trips to two per year.

Board member Scott said he would oppose the measure, urging the district to keep user charges lower. “I just have so much heartburn about fees,” Scott said, explaining he planned to continue a “one‑man crusade” to reduce the cost burden on families. He and another member (identified in debate as Bryant) indicated they would vote ‘nay.’ The motion nevertheless passed.

Staff told the board they had not seen many students exceed the previous waiver thresholds and that the cap was set to cover two of the district’s higher‑cost trips plus curricular fees. The board asked staff to follow up with comparative data from last year’s approvals and to confirm how often students exhausted prior waiver limits.

The board’s approval makes the fees legally effective for the 2026–27 school year; implementation details and communications to families will be handled by the district’s business office and school offices.

What’s next: staff will provide follow‑up data requested by the board and finalize communications to families and school administrators about the new waiver cap and trip limits.