Wauconda District 118 to hike student fees for parking, athletics
Wauconda Unit District 118 officials have approved an increase in student fees next fall to generate revenue.
Board members voted Thursday to approve fee increases for registration, athletics and high school student parking. The higher fees will go into effect in the 2010-11 school year.
To collect student fees, the also board approved an online payment service that will allow parents to pay with a credit or debt card online. The board also directed administrators to look into hiring a collection agency to help enforce the student fees for next fall.
"We will pay an extra cost to have this (online payment) service," Superintendent Dan Coles said. "But we believe it will provide a new service as ease of payment for parents and help with collection."
The board agreed in March to pursue an additional $50,000 in revenue in order to reduce the expected $2.2 million deficit for the 2010-11 school year by increasing student fees. At the time of the vote, it was not determined which fees would increase.
Basic registration fees at the district will increase by $10. Registration fees will increase to $120 for elementary school, $150 for middle school and $175 for high school. Kindergarten registration fees will rise by $5 to $90.
The board also approved higher athletic fees. Middle school fees rose from $100 to $110, while high school participation will cost $140 for each sport, up from $125.
Student parking permits at Wauconda High School increased by $10 to $120.
The new student fees are projected to generate the additional $50,000, Coles said.
District 118 did not raise any student fees last fiscal year, officials said.
Last month, the board approved a new food service contract, but did not raise fees for lunches.
"We only raise our lunch fees when we cannot break even," Coles said. "We've never made money on our lunch program. It's a cost-neutral proposition for us."
Coles said he believes the approved student fee increases ensure community members without students are not additionally burdened.
"School fees are a balance between the parents ability to pay and the expectation of the community that the user pays more than the nonuser," he said.