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Board approves modest student consumable fees for specialized courses, exempts free/reduced students
Summary
The Greenfield-Central Com Schools board voted to permit modest semester fees for certain specialized classes—$25 per semester for dual-credit courses, $10 for fine-arts/CTE consumables and $5 at junior high—while exempting students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch; staff said fees are intended to recover part of $175,000–$225,000 in consumable costs.
The Greenfield-Central Com Schools board voted to allow modest student fees for specialized courses, approving a fee schedule staff said is aimed at recovering a portion of district consumable costs. Business staff presented the proposal and said the district currently spends roughly $175,000–$225,000 annually on consumable classroom materials and that the proposed fees are lower than amounts charged historically.
Business staff said dual-credit courses would be charged $25 per semester, fine-arts and many CTE/technology courses would be charged $10 per semester, and junior-high consumable fees would be set at $5 per semester. Staff emphasized that textbook rental and device charges remain prohibited; the fees target consumables such as art supplies, performance costumes and course-specific materials. Staff also noted that certain HC3 classes carry higher, separately set fees because those programs set their own charges and students were informed up front.
The board discussed whether the district could absorb these costs instead of charging families. A trustee urged caution about adding fees in a time of rising household costs; staff responded that the district has reduced expenditures and sought other savings but that the state’s shift of $150 per student into the education fund has not replaced prior textbook-rental revenue. Staff reiterated the district’s commitment to not charging for core courses required for graduation and said students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch would be exempt from the new fees.
After discussion, a board member moved to approve the student-fee schedule as presented and the board approved the motion by voice vote.
What happens next: Staff said the business office and principals have reviewed the proposal and that the fees will be charged beginning with the coming school year; staff offered to revisit the policy as needed.
