A review of guidelines, policies, and procedures for student fees, donations,

and fundraising

1

Guidelines for Student Fees

within the Fullerton Joint Union High School District

The subject of student fees, charges, deposits, donations, and fundraising related to courses and activities has been at the forefront of public attention locally and nationally.

The purpose of this presentation is to review our district’s guidelines, policies, and procedures for student fees, donations, and fundraising.

2

Welcome and Purpose

California Constitution requires that we provide a free public education, unless a charge is specifically authorized by law.

Since 1874, the California Supreme Court has interpreted “free school system” to mean that students are entitled to be educated at the public’s expense.

3

Free Public Education

All supplies, materials and equipment needed to participate in educational activities shall be provided to pupils free of charge.

A waiver process shall not render an otherwise impermissible fee permissible.

Schools districts and school shall not establish a two tier education system.

The school district or school shall not offer course credit or privileges related to educational activity in exchange for money or donations of goods or services from students or parents/guardians.

Part 1California public schools, including charter schools, cannot charge fees in order for students to participate in any required or elective classThis includes: security deposits (e.g. locks, lockers, books, uniforms, instruments) participation fees (e.g. curricular, co-curricular, extra-curricular), supplies (both necessary and supplemental).

5

Non-Permissible Fees

California public schools, including charter schools, cannot charge fees for gym or physical education clothes.

Education Code 49066: “No grade of a pupil participating in a physical education class may be adversely affected due to fact that the pupil does not wear standardized physical education apparel where the failure to wear such apparel arises from circumstances beyond the control of the pupil,” such as lack of sufficient funds.

6

Non-Permissible FeesPart 2

California public schools, including charter schools, may charge fees for as outlined in the Education Code.

These include:• Transportation to and from school• Transportation to places of summer employment• Charges for food (limited by the free and reduced price meal program)• Insurance for field trips• Lost or damaged books or district supplies• Direct cost of materials for property the student has made in class for

their own use• Charges for optional attendance as a spectator at school/district

activities

7

Permissible FeesPart 1

California public schools, including charter schools, may charge fees for as outlined in the Education Code.

These include:• Fees for school camp programs (e.g. outdoor science camp)• Fees for field trips and excursions in connection with courses of

instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities

• Charges for standardized PE attire of a particular color and design, but purchase from the school can not be mandated and grades can not be impacted based on failure to wear standardized apparel

• Actual cost of duplication of public records or student records• Charges for medical and accident insurance for athletic team

members • Parking of vehicles on school grounds

8

Permissible FeesPart 2

FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)

QUESTION 1: May a school still receive donations from parents and guardians?

RESPONSE: YES. School districts, schools, programs, and classes can and do seek and accept donations of funds and property, and this practice is permissible as long as the donation is truly voluntary and in no way a prerequisite to participation in the program or activity. Donations cannot be made for a specific student; instead, they are made to a school or program. For example, if a person wishes to donate to their school’s cheerleading program, they can donate to the cheer program or to the cost of the cheer camp, but not the cheerleader.

9

QUESTION 2: May a school still fundraise?

RESPONSE: YES. School districts, schools, programs and classes can and do engage in fundraising activities and programs. This practice is also permissible as long as the raising of funds is voluntary. You may require students to attend a fundraising event; however, if they are unable to raise funds for the event, you cannot prevent them from participating in an educational activity. Also, attendance at a fundraiser can be required if it is a team or club event. Penalties for non-attendance would be similar to those imposed for failure to attend any other team or club event (e.g. sitting out a game, etc.). Fundraising can not be a requirement of participation.

10

FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)

QUESTION 3: May a school charge fees for uniforms for team sports?

RESPONSE: NO. A school must provide a free uniform to any student who is a member of the school team in question. You can allow students to purchase their own uniforms if they want to purchase uniforms; however, buying a uniform cannot be a requirement to participate in a sport.

11

FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)

QUESTION 4: May a school require team members to purchase Spirit Packs?

RESPONSE: NO. Spirit packs may be sold; however, a school cannot require a student to purchase a spirit pack as a prerequisite to participate in a sport. If there are practice uniforms, etc., which are required, they must be provided free of charge to any student who is a member of the school team in question.

12

FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)

QUESTION 5: What if a school only charges fees to those students who can afford them; and has a waiver process for those who cannot?

RESPONSE: NO. A waiver process based on financial need or inability to pay does not make an otherwise non-permissible fee permissible.

13

FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)

California law requires school district to provide supplies deemed necessary in order to participate in regular classroom work.

These include:• Writing and drawing paper• Pens• Inks• Black boards • Black board erasers• Crayons• Red pencils• Other necessary supplies

14

Classroom Supplies

The Attorney General has concluded that materials must be furnished by school districts with charge as necessary supplies.

These include:• Athletic uniforms• Attire for music classes• Musical instruments• Special binders• Film for photography classes• Calculators• Other study aid materials

If the equipment or supplies are used by the school in the educational process then these materials constitute “necessary supplies” which must be provided to students without cost.

15

Materials

Students must wear appropriate attire for PE classes. The appropriate attire consists of a (color) t-shirt, (color) shorts, athletic/dance shoes, and socks. The school has shirts and shorts available for purchase of they may be purchased from a vendor of your choice. If a student is not able to purchase any of the items required, they will be provided to the student and returned at the end of the year.

If a student cannot purchased standardized physical education apparel due to lack of funds or unwillingness of the family to pay for specialized apparel the student’s grade cannot be adversely affected.

16

Sample WordingPE classes

Materials needed for activities in Art class will be provided free to all students. Fees for materials used for projects that students wish to keep and take for their own use are permissible. Voluntary donations may be made to help support the art classes

No fees should be assessed to any class or activity. Donations can be accepted but they must be for programs NOT for individual students.

17

Sample WordingArt Classes

FJUHSD is providing faculty, staff, parents, guardians, students, and administrators with guidance and essential resources with the twin goals of school-community cooperation to support programs and legal compliance while providing that support. This is being accomplished through:

• Hosting meetings/presentations with faculty, staff, parents, guardians, sports teams, school foundation, boosters, and PTSA representatives• Providing faculty and staff with course syllabus and school

supplies language• Launching a website for district staff with resources and

Frequently Asked Questions

18

What are we doing?

REQUIRED MATERIALSo 1” three ring binder with labeled dividers

o Paper

• Lined

• Graph

o Plastic zipper pocket

• Compass

• Pencils

• Eraser

• Red pen

• Scientific calculator

• Donations of the following classroom supplies are greatly appreciated.

• The donation of the following supplies is appreciated to offset the cost of classroom materials.

• You are not required to purchase any of these materials. The supplies listed below are recommended to assist with organization.