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Board approves student-fees policy after discussion of hardship processes and community support
Summary
The board approved Policy 6152 on student fees, fines and charges after discussion focused on outstanding balances (described in the meeting as about a couple hundred thousand), federal free/reduced-lunch waivers, hardship reviews, payment options and community donations used to clear senior debts.
The Westerville City Schools Board of Education approved a policy on student fees, fines and charges (Policy 6152) on May 11 after trustees questioned how the district handles outstanding balances and supports families with financial hardship.
Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall told the board that outstanding balances across fees and fines are "a couple hundred thousand" in total, and described the district’s standard practices: families qualifying for free lunch have instructional fees waived under federal programs, families eligible for reduced lunch receive a 50% reduction in certain instructional fees, buildings work directly with families to set payment plans, and community partners frequently help clear balances for graduating seniors.
Marshall explained payment options (building collection, PowerSchool web portal and an administrative online-fee processing charge) and said the district stopped absorbing the online-payment administrative fee after a failed 2024 ballot issue because of cost to the district and community. She also described outreach steps: schools issue reminders, counselors and food-service staff can help, and building staff coordinate hardship reviews.
Board members asked for clarity on the hardship-review process and how the district ensures students are not penalized for family financial issues; Marshall said the district’s policy and state law require fee waivers for families who qualify for free lunch and noted staff will continue to work with community partners on targeted assistance. Trustees then voted to approve Policy 6152 by recorded vote.
Because the action was recorded under old business, the vote was taken at the meeting and passed; district staff said administrative procedures and outreach materials will be used to implement the policy and that the board will continue to review the approach as needed.
