Administrative Procedure 505

SCHOOL FEES

Background

The Charter Board may authorize the collection of school fees from parents in accordance with the Education Act and regulations governing such matters.
Fees will not be charged for goods or services that are considered “basic”, including such things as textbooks, workbooks, photocopying and paper.
Fees may be charged for goods and services considered to be for the purpose of providing “Enhanced Education Services” and “Non-Curricular Services”
The Charter Board will ensure that a consultation, proposal and approval process is undertaken annually in the school year prior to the fees being implemented. This does not preclude the opportunity for the School to provide enhanced s and /non-curricular services during the school year, provided the process includes the consultation, proposal and approval process.

Definitions

Fees for basic educational goods and services are fees for the services, supports and materials required for a student to be successful in meeting the required curriculum outcomes of the program of studies successfully at a basic level. Examples include such things as textbooks, workbooks, photocopying and paper that are collectively required by all students. This excludes personal consumable items such as notebooks, pens and pencils etc.
Fees for enhanced educational services are fees for services, supports and materials that are not required for students to meet the required curriculum outcomes successfully at a basic level but that if accessed through the payment of additional fees would enhance the student’s learning opportunities. Examples may include curricular field trips, programs of choice, cultural activities, technology user fees, enhanced projects, and fees for options and CTS courses.
Fees for non-curricular services are fees for optional services, supports, and materials that are outside of the curricular program of the School. Examples include sports teams, musical instrument rental, clubs, agendas, athletic wear, and transportation, subsistence and accommodation for various travel requests.

Procedures

1. The School shall not charge fees for basic educational services, as defined from time to time by the Education Act, regulations, and/or Charter Board policy and/or administrative procedures.
1.1 Fees for personal, consumable items such as pencils and notebooks are permitted.
1.2 The school may choose to provide a “school supplies package” at no cost to the School provided parents are advised that they may purchase school supplies from any vendor of their choosing. To this end, parents shall be provided with a supply list for their child(ren)’s consumable items.
1.3 Parents shall be advised that only those items needed for school start up need to be purchased before school opens. The student’s supplies can be replenished through the year as needed.
1.4 The School is permitted to keep a limited supply of consumable items for students to purchase if their supplies are depleted. To reduce dependency on the school’s purchase option, it is recommended that the monthly newsletter or some other format be used to remind parents to check on the depletion of their children’s supplies.
Fees for enhanced educational services and fees for non-curricular services may be charged upon approval by the Charter Board and in keeping with the relevant legislation and regulations.
Table of Contents
2. The Principal shall consult with parents and will annually submit a proposed fee schedule of fees for enhanced education services and fees for non-curricular services at a time designated by the Superintendent.
2.1 The Principal shall be responsible for demonstrating the reasonableness of the proposed fees in a manner established by the Superintendent.
2.2 Fees that are collected and charges that are made to parents for the provision of goods or services for students may only be used for the purposes for which they are collected.
3. Any portion of fees collected that are not expended must be refunded to the payee in a manner clearly articulated in the proposals submitted to the Board and subsequently approved by the Superintendent.
4. The Principal may waive the payment of fees in circumstances where parents demonstrate undue financial hardship.
5. Responsibility for the collection and financial accounting for enhanced educational services and non-curricular services shall rest with the School. The Principal is responsible to make every reasonable effort to collect outstanding fees and any uncollected fees must be reported to the Secretary Treasurer.
6. Dispute Resolution Process
The resolution of disputes and appeals arising from the administration of this Administrative Procedure shall be addressed in accordance with Administrative Procedure 152 – Charter Board and Policy 13 – Appeals and Hearings Regarding Student Matters.
7. The Superintendent has the responsibility to develop protocols and procedures for establishing criteria,consultation, proposals, documentation and communication with respect to school fees.

References: Section 13, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 32, 33, 52, 53, 59, 68, 196, 197, 222, 225, 257 Education Act
School Fees Regulation 029/2019