STUDENT FEES, FINES, AND CHARGES | Policy Manual

6152 - STUDENT FEES, FINES, AND CHARGES

The Board may levy certain charges to students to facilitate the utilization of adequate, appropriate learning materials used in the course of instruction. If the District determines that a student is in serious financial need, it may choose to provide any or all such materials free of charge.

A charge shall not exceed the combined cost of the material used, freight and/or handling charges, and nominal add-on for loss. Money received from resale of such material shall be returned to the Director of Accounting Services with an accurate accounting of all transactions.

When school property, equipment, or supplies are damaged, lost, or taken by a student, a fine will be assessed. The fine will be reasonable, seeking only to compensate the school for the expense or loss incurred.

The late return of borrowed books or materials from the school libraries may be subject to appropriate fines.

Any collections of fees, fines, and/or other charges made outside of the school office must be turned in to the school office no later than the next business day. Money collected (cash or check) should be placed in a locked file cabinet or desk until they are deposited intact with the bookkeeper or administrator in the school vault. At no time shall any staff member place public monies in his/her own banking accounts or commingle public monies with their own. Except in cases of extenuating circumstances, i.e., the inability to access the secure place in the building, public monies should not be taken to a person’s place of residence.

STUDENT FEES, RENTALS, SALES

Assessment Prohibited

No school shall assess any fee or charge in connection with any class or other activity which is a part of the regular course of instruction unless such fee or charge is approved by the Board. Students may be assessed for breakage or damage resulting from misuse or abuse and for lost and damaged textbooks.
Prohibition

No school or school employee shall purchase commercial services or goods for the school or its student on a commission basis except that parent-teacher groups shall be permitted to arrange with the management of theaters, skating rinks, swimming pools, and similar entertainment enterprises to sponsor parties of their own members or the school's patrons on a commission basis.
Educational Opportunities

No student shall be denied any educational opportunity because of his/her inability to pay any fee or charge imposed.
Solicitation

No person shall sell or offer for sale within the school or offices of the Board or on the school grounds any articles or services to employees or students or to solicit such contributions from such persons except under a plan approved by the Superintendent.
Usage Charges and Rentals

The charges and rentals for such items as band instruments, uniforms, towels, locks, and materials for class projects that are to be taken home upon completion, and student activity fees shall be set by the Superintendent.
Sale of Merchandise to Students

Stationery supplies, protective clothing, or similar items may be offered for sale or rent through a school bookstore as a convenience to students. If the operation of a school bookstore seems inadvisable, other appropriate arrangements may be made for the sale or rental of these items.
1. Required Items
  
  Workbooks, protective clothing, and other items which a student is required to have and which are not offered for sale at any other convenient place, shall be priced at not to exceed cost, including transportation, plus a markup of ten percent (10%), rounded up to the nearest whole dollar.
2. Use of Funds from Sales and Rentals
  
  Monies derived from such sales or rentals as are authorized by this section, shall be internal funds and may be used to finance student activities or for other purposes benefiting the students of the school.
Ticket Prices - Athletic Events

Prices charged for athletic contests shall be consistent among schools within the District. Ticket prices applicable to middle, junior, and senior high school athletic events shall be set by the Superintendent.
Adult/Community Education Student Fees
1. FTE Supported Courses
  
  A student who is nonexempt as specified in F.S. 1001.42 shall be assessed an enrollment fee in accordance with Florida statutes and as annually established by the Board.
2. Fee Supported Courses
  
  An annual enrollment fee schedule shall be established and approved by the Board.
Foreign Students Fee

A fee covering the annual unsubsidized per capita educational cost shall be paid by each foreign student with F-1 immigration status or any foreign student who is otherwise required to reimburse the Board in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act. Payment of the fee shall be made annually in advance of the foreign student’s enrollment and one-half of such fee may be refunded if the student’s actual attendance is one (1) semester or less. 100% of such fee may be refunded if the District is notified of a non-attendance prior to the beginning of the semester with a request for refund. The annual fee shall be determined annually by the Office of Financial Services.
Fees Charged to Public
1. Authority for Temporary Uses of Nonschool Board Facilities
  
  The Superintendent is delegated the authority to execute agreements for the temporary use of facilities owned and/or operated by outside agencies for the purpose of the school’s use. The expense for using such facilities shall be provided from the school’s internal funds and shall not incur an expense to the Board. These agreements shall be insurable within the limits of the Board’s current insurance coverages and shall otherwise adhere to other provisions of existing Board policies. These agreements shall be presented to the Board for ratification at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
2. Fees for Copying Records and Materials
  
  The Superintendent is authorized to establish fees to be charged to the public for copying student records and other written Board material. Different fees, when appropriate, may be charged for different records to meet applicable Federal and State rules and/or to meet the cost of providing the service.
3. Fee-Supported In-Service Courses
  
  Employees who enroll in the fee-supported inservice courses shall be charged an appropriate fee to cover the cost of instruction and course materials. An annual fee schedule shall be approved by the Superintendent.

Revised 10/28/14
Revised 10/15/24