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Board adopts 2025–26 fee schedule and clarifies dual-enrollment cost responsibilities
Summary
Sahuarita Unified School District adopted its 2025–26 fee schedule, including increased instrument rental and athletic fees and AP/PSAT fees; staff explained criteria for fees and said college credit through the district's dual-enrollment partnership with Pima Community College carries no district-set tuition, though books or course platforms may have associated costs.
The Sahuarita Unified School District governing board voted to adopt the district's proposed 2025–26 fee schedule after a staff presentation on fee policy and specific line-item changes.
Assistant Superintendent Darlene Robinson framed the district's approach around three principles: a demonstrated programmatic need for each fee, charging the minimum necessary to meet that need, and ensuring no student is denied participation because of inability to pay. "Those three litmus tests" were described as the basis for the proposed changes.
Notable items in the schedule presented to the board included a $5 increase in elementary music-instrument rental (raising that fee to $40 to match middle-school rental practice), a proposed middle-school athletic fee increase to $35 to help cover uniform replacement and equipment, an $18 PSAT fee, and dance program costume or equipment fees ($30–$60 depending on level). Staff explained that the $99 AP exam fee is set by the College Board and is not a district-determined charge.
Board members asked about dual-enrollment costs. Robinson and other staff said that, in the district's partnership with Pima Community College, students do not pay district-controlled tuition for the college credit itself; however, textbooks or digital-platform fees associated with the college course could apply. During the exchange Mr DS cited an example figure for PCC of $150 per credit (three-credit course $300) as context for how colleges price credit; staff noted those costs are a function of the partner institution and not set by the district.
The board voted to approve the fee schedule as presented. Staff emphasized that fee-waiver procedures exist to prevent financial barriers from excluding students.
