District 211 holds the line on school fees

In an effort to help families with educational costs, the Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 school board will not raise standard school fees. These fees have been consistent for the past seven years.

The six fees the board approved at its Jan. 17 meeting are transportation, driver’s education, student parking, textbook and instructional supply, school breakfast and lunch, and summer school.

The only fee to see a slight increase since 2007-08 is the school breakfast and lunch fee, but the cost for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program will remain the same.

“In recognition of the economic realities in our community, we have not raised school fees for seven consecutive years,” said Superintendent Nancy Robb. “The only exception has been a very minimal increase in the cost for school lunches due to the fact that the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (USDA) regulates the amount that should be charged.”

Government regulations, such as the USDA Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, require school districts to maintain set amounts for costs of school meals. Student lunch fees were increased by 10 cents in compliance with the act and the National School Lunch Program.

This year’s school lunch rate should be $2.59 based on the new formula; however, District 211 will charge $2.25, $2.40 or $2.55 for its three-tier meal price structure. The same act also has improved the nutritional quality of school lunches. Students are able to receive double the quantity of fruits and vegetables, a wider variety of produce, and more whole grains.

Regarding transportation, the state requires students to be charged for pickups less than 1.5 miles away from the school. That fee will remain at $170, which has not changed since the 2007-08 academic year.

There is no fee for students who live more than 1.5 miles away from school. Transportation for summer school will remain at $35 per semester.

The driver education behind the wheel course fee has not changed since 2005-06, where it is not to exceed $350. Costs for textbooks and instructional supplies have remained constant since 2007-2008 -- $160 for the school year.

Students who drive to school and park in school lots are subject to a $65 fee per semester. These fees help generate funds for the operations and maintenance budget, which includes maintaining safe parking lots.

For students who are required or opt to enroll in summer school classes, fees will remain $140 per semester for credit courses. Noncredit physical education and activity camps will remain $70 per session. Summer athletic fees for incoming freshmen and sophomores will remain $30, while the fee for competitive varsity baseball and softball will remain $175 for the summer.

For a more detailed look at school fees for the upcoming academic year, visit the District 211 BoardDocs website for the agenda.