Driver's ed may get more expensive in Dist. 303

Students in St. Charles Unit District 303 dreaming of the day a driver's license brings them new freedom may soon have to include a new way to pay for it.

The district plans to seek state approval to double the $200 fee it currently charges for driver's education, school officials said.

District Spokesman Jim Blaney said the district will seek a fee limit of $400 that would possibly go into affect for the 2011-2012 school year.

"That doesn't mean the fee is necessarily going to be $400," Blaney said. "We just would like to have the flexibility to go that way if we want."

State law requires schools to apply for a waiver whenever they want to charge more than $50 for driver's education. District 303 already has a waiver in place for its current $200 fee, but that is set to expire, opening the door for a new waiver request at a higher rate.

Blaney wouldn't speculate on what may trigger the enactment of a $400 fee, but ongoing tight budgets would weigh heavily on any decision to raise fees. A study of the true driver's education costs in the district showed the net cost per student to the district is actually $527.

The school district also has decided to auction off the home it owns at 3738 St. Germaine Place in St. Charles. The district bought the property in 2007. Since then, the home has been used for building trades vocational training.

Participation in that program has taken a nose-dive, triggering a decision by the school board this week to sell the property. Opening bids must be at least $399,900. There will be an open house tour of the property from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on May 22.