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Committee considers changing reduced‑fee waiver so reduced‑price students pay 50% instead of 25%
Summary
The finance committee discussed a proposed policy change to formalize the district’s reduced‑fee waiver practice and to charge students eligible for reduced‑price meals 50% of eligible fees (up from the current 25% charge); staff will bring the policy for first reading at the next board meeting.
Mr. Wilkinson brought a policy discussion to the finance committee proposing that Lisle CUSD 202 formalize its reduced fee waiver practice and change the district’s current approach for students who qualify for reduced‑price meals. He said the current practice charges reduced‑price students 25% of eligible fees (a 75% discount) and that he recommends changing that to charge reduced students 50% of eligible fees beginning in 2026–27; the change would be documented in board policy 4:140 and in a student fee waiver procedures document.
Wilkinson summarized a brief survey of neighboring districts and said practices vary: some districts offer no reduction, several provide a 50% reduction, and a few provide a full waiver for reduced students. He reported district data as of April 2026 showing 23% of students qualify for free meals and 6% for reduced‑price meals; many qualifying students are directly certified and do not submit waiver applications.
Using conservative assumptions (a $200 annual registration fee and three activities per student), Wilkinson estimated the impact of moving from the current 25% charge to a 50% charge would amount to about $10,000–$15,000 in additional district revenue, though the actual effect will vary by grade and student participation. He also reported cumulative unpaid student fee balances since 2017 total $32,000.
Wilkinson presented a draft fee‑waiver procedures document that would be forward facing to families and outlined covered items (registration, athletics and extracurricular fees, PE uniforms and driver’s education) and excluded items (parking, yearbooks and optional purchases). A board member requested the procedures include a general line directing qualifying families to building contacts for additional financial support (for example for AP exam supports); Wilkinson agreed to explore language that provides help without overcommitting resources.
Wilkinson said the policy change would be brought for first reading at the next board meeting and, if advanced, would proceed through a second reading and formal adoption before taking effect.
