![[Masthead]](http://www.lemarssentinel.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (12)
Share link
Facebook
Twitter
del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Newsvine
Reddit
GoogleThe increases were approved by the Le Mars Community School Board of Education Tuesday night, as recommended by Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt.
Special fees for music students will be $15 for the 2009-10 school year, an increase of $3. Those affected are middle school band students, high school band students, orchestra (tuxedo cleaning), and vocal music (9-12).
Instrument rent will be $50/year, a $10 increase. Percussion rent will be $35/year, also a $10 increase.
Pupil insurance fees will be:
K-8 School Time - $42, a $2 increase
9-12 School Time - $63, a $3 increase
K-12 Full Time - $152, a $7 increase
Football Plan 1 - $210, a $10 increase
Dental insurance is included in the coverage listed.
The price of student activity tickets will increase from $5 to $30.
Hot lunch ticket prices will increase 10 cents. Prices for lunch will be $1.60 for K-12 students and $2.10 for adults. Breakfast prices will be $1.10 for K-12 students and $1.20 for adults.
Wendt and the board have closely monitored the school lunch program this year as fees were also increased for the 2008-09 school year. At times during the year the fund ran a negative balance.
Board member Patrick Murphy expressed his concern that the hot lunch program pay for itself and not be subsidized by general fund dollars.
Wendt said he felt the 10 cent increase for next year would keep the lunch program fund in the black.
Milk fee for children in grades K-2 remains $30 per semester. That covers a carton of milk served during the morning for those students.
The fee for milk purchased during the lunch hour remains 35 cents per carton.
Following a review of the city bus routes costs from the first and second semesters, Wendt indicated transportation director Gary Herman said a fee increase would not be needed.
The student fee for riding the city bus is $30 per semester or $20 per quarter.
Driver education fees will remain at $285 per session. Wendt said the fees cover the cost of the program offered during the summer.
Book fees will also remain at $35 for grades K-12.
No change was made in the special fees for students in grades 9-12 art at $10/session or Trades and Industries (T & I) at $10 per year.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
Growing up, I lived many places. NEVER in my life have I had to pay to go to public school. I mean, yeah you pay for your lunch, but no book fees or milk fees. And the bus was always FREE. Wierd
I attended LCSD schools from kindergarten through high school graduation. We had book fees, activity fees, etc. every year. And I remember bringing my nickel each day that I wanted a carton of milk. That has been quite a while ago and prices have increased, of course, but I fail to see what is "weird" about these charges.
I would have to agree with Susan, and I believe the bus fee is for students who live in town, I don't think rural kids have to pay bus fees.
I am just sayin, I went to 9 different schools as a child in 5 different states, and never had to pay for anything except for lunch. Thats all.
These fees will prevent the under-priveleged students from participating in activities and could further ostricize them from getting the same education experience that more modest households can afford.
Cut back evenly instead of raising the rates. It has to be fair to all.
*"The price of student activity tickets will increase from $5 to $30."
Activity tickets were $25 last year and are now $30 (the article is a little confusing here).
*Milk fees are in place because some students don't drink it, and others drink 2 cartons.
*The bus fee is for town kids only.
*Book fees do not cover what we normally (up until the last two years) spend a year in replacement costs.
If there are specific questions ask.
Susan,
Thanks to you and Mark for attending as many board meetings as you do.
Dan Smith,
Why are in town kids charged a bus fee?
Thanks.
Dan Smith,
When is the last time text book fees were raised? Has this been looked at to help generate money for the general fund? $35 per student seems pretty cheap considering how much books cost.
Also, in regards to the contract created for the Title 1 reading position, Dr. Wendt said at the meeting that it was being paid by ARAA funds that can go to general fund purposes. Why are we creating a position if that money can go to the general fund?
Thanks.
I also went to LCSD and paid a book fee each year. I have a nephew who lives in Colorado and they do not pay a book fee. He also had several classes where books were not given to each student. They are used in class only, if the student needed the book for homework that evening it had to be checked out after school each day. If you get there and all the books were taken you are out of luck.
I believe the music fees cover the cleaning of the uniforms/robes at the end of the year and any student that qualifies for free or reduced lunch also qualifies for a free or reduced music fee so no sutudent is declined participation due to finances.
I also understand the increase in the lunch ticket price. We are paying more for food in the grocery store so I am sure the food service at the school is also paying more.
onlywhatiknow,
I think it's because they live within a certain radius of town. If you live outside that radius a free ride has to be provided by the district.
pctaxpayer,
There are strings tied to the funds if I remember right.
The money was earmarked toward new programs for At Risk students is all I can remember right now.
I'll check into it and get back.
This is kinda crummy, LCS builds all of the schools on the west side of town, so its either I pay $30 for my daughter to ride the bus, or she walks 2 1/2 miles!
AND their are kids that live CLOSER than that, and are considered RURAL students! I don't get it.......
I agree with you MommyinIOWA. I also went to a public school from K-12 in a different state and we NEVER had to pay for anything unless you wanted to buy a lunch - but I brown bagged my lunch each day until high school. The only time we had to pay for anything is the one year our Levy failed and I had to pay to play sports - but the next election - our levy passed. I guess if your going to pay to go to a public school, why wouldn't I just pay a little extra and send my kids to Gehlen?!