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School Supplies/Fundraisers; Going Broke
Topic Started: Sep 13 2006, 09:43 AM (7,042 Views)
Anna Krome
Principal
Have kids in 3 different schools and the fundraising and school supplies (plus new clothes and shoes) have really put a strain on this month's finances.

Isn't it a MI law that LPS (and all districts) provide school suppllies (not backpacks)--but markers, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, etc.?

I have a friend, who teaches in Ecorse and Detroit, who told me that Livonia parents "put up w/buying supplies," and that is their own fault.

The parents, according to my teacher-friend, are subsidizing the district and absorbing costs.

Did Dr. L count on us, when predicting the "savings," to offset LPS' costs?

AK
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skaterchick
4th Grade
All of our school supply lists said "suggested" it never said anywhere that you had to buy it. We just always do. It's not too bad when they're young and crayons etc...are on sale for 15 cents or so. For the older ones I know one of our teachers was pushing Trapper Keepers but I know many kids didn't get one, including mine...way too big.
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jodygirlh
Principal
We never had to buy supplies at Washington. They were always provided in years past.
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bmom
Principal
We have always had the "suggested list" as well. In addition, kleenex, paper towel and hand sanitizer has been on a few of the lists. I don't mind purchasing these items but it does add up when having to do it for more than 1 child. In the past, some of these "suggested" items came home at the end of the school year hardly even used. Maybe they need to revamp the list.
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Anna Krome
Principal
Yes, "suggested." But do the other kids think the kid, who shows up w/nothing, is "different"?

My daughter did not have her glue sticks, and the teacher did not provide one.

She had to "bum" one off her neighbor in class.

Plus, those fundraising "rallies" are not appropriately spent school time. The salesman pitches the kids and promises "prizes."

My daughters felt left out, when we did not participate. And, when we did, the "prize" was a plastic nothing.

AK

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fyi
Principal
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/fees_gui...03_122775_7.pdf


JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM GOVERNOR THOMAS D. WATKINS, JR. SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LANSING

August 22, 2003

MEMORANDUM TO: Local and Intermediate School District Superintendents, Public School Academy Authorizers and Directors, Education Alliance

FROM: Tom Watkins RE: Guidance Regarding School District Student Fees and Costs

CC: State Board of Education members

Welcome back to another great school year. As we begin, I want to clarify issues regarding the charging of student fees. Given recent budget challenges, many local school districts are under pressure. School districts have a myriad of responsibilities and obligations under state and federal laws. Chief among them is ensuring that children are entitled to a system of free public elementary and secondary schools. Further, we know of your desire to offer the best possible education to our children with the resources available. At least since 1965, the State Board of Education has been firmly on record as favoring the provision of free textbooks and other materials to the children attending public schools in the state of Michigan. In 1970, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled, in the case of Bond, et al vs. the Ann Arbor School District, that school districts may not collect fees for items that are necessary elements of a school’s activities or an integral, fundamental part of elementary and secondary education. In March of 1972, the State Board of Education developed a position statement regarding Free Textbooks, Materials, and the Charging of Fees. For your information, this position statement is available on the Department’s website, www.michigan.gov/mde.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
KATHLEEN N. STRAUS – PRESIDENT • SHARON L. GIRE – VICE PRESIDENT
CAROLYN L. CURTIN – SECRETARY • HERBERT S. MOYER – TREASURER
MARIANNE YARED MCGUIRE – NASBE DELEGATE • JOHN C. AUSTIN • ELIZABETH W. BAUER • EILEEN LAPPIN WEISER
608 WEST ALLEGAN STREET • P.O. BOX 30008 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909
www.michigan.gov/mde • (517) 373-3324

Page 2
In short, the position clearly indicates that: • School districts may not make charges for any required or elective course, such as for general or registration fees, course fees, and/or textbooks and school supplies. School districts may determine the reasonable quality and quantity of school supplies that will be provided. The district may also determine the length of time such materials are provided. • School districts may charge fees for extracurricular activities, but only on a “Pay to Participate” or “Pay to Play” basis. Fees that are portrayed as mandatory costs for families are not allowable. School districts also should make provisions so that students without financial means are not excluded, within reason. • School districts can require a reasonable and refundable deposit on textbooks to cover damages. • If band or orchestra is offered as part of the curriculum and a grade and credit are given, then the school district is required to provide instruments free, on a reasonable basis, to qualified students. It does not mean that a school district must consider owning enough instruments to provide each eligible student with an instrument of his or her choice. Qualified only refers to reasonable student aptitude or ability, not availability of instrument. • Any locker fees, instrument, or uniform rental fees collected in advance should be refunded to the students. • Project materials for required or elective classes, such as shop, art, drafting, science, or home economics must be provided to the student at no charge.

A few examples follow: School districts must provide the following items free of charge for any required or elective course: • Pencils, paper, crayons, scissors, glue sticks • Textbooks (regular or supplemental) • Weekly readers or other periodicals if required for classroom use School districts may not make charges related to any required or elective course for: • Towels, locks, and lockers • Shop materials • Drafting Supplies • Home Economic materials • Workbooks • Materials in science classes • School educational trips that are required to successfully achieve course credit • Vocational or special education

Page 3
School districts may charge students, on a participant basis only, for: • Class or organizational dues, and admission fees to athletic contests • Lunch • Fees for external tests, such as National Merit and college entrance exams • Yearbooks • Athletic shoes • Bus transportation for nonresident students • School sponsored educational trips not directly related to the curriculum • Vaccinations • Summer school courses or programs not part of a scheduled year-round program • Caps and gowns I want to commend you for the local partnerships you have developed with business, foundations, community, and parent groups to help offset the increased costs often associated with delivering a high quality education during these tough economic times. Further, thank you for your creativity, innovation, and the administrative efficiencies you have put into place to target the maximum amount of dollars toward teaching and learning. The State Board of Education and I are committed to partnering with you to do all we can to help lift up our schools, our teachers, and most importantly, our children. Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions.
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49chevy
Member Avatar
Answers questioned
I remember way back when I was in school, my parents never purchased anything but binders and folders. We got EVERYTHING else from the school. Guess those days are long gone. <_<
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Grant1
Member Avatar
We have just begun to fight!
A few years back we were informed that there were not enough of the science class study guides for each child, and that they would have to share, at that time I informed all of the parents, principal and staff at the meeting that it was the law that each child was required to be supplied these materials since they were required per the cirriculum.

It was amazing how many parents, and even the school teachers and administrator were unaware of the items that must be supplied by law. It is unforunate that for years upon years the district has been relying on parents, PTA's and donations to supply what they are required to do by law.

Please be aware that your child has the right to ask for all of the items as listed above, they are supposed to have them readily available and you have already funded for these items.

I have a sneaking suspicion that these items have always been budgeted to individual schools budgets, but administrators have been sliding the costs over to the parents and taking the budget overages as savings ...go ahead and call me a cynic, but the rumor is that school administrators receive a bonus for coming in under budget, if true, the incentive is there to try - hence the terminology "suggested" ;)
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Momforone
Principal
So where did the quarters go from the pencil machine @ Taylor????? :huh:
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Grant1
Member Avatar
We have just begun to fight!
Momofone
Sep 13 2006, 11:03 AM
So where did the quarters go from the pencil machine @ Taylor????? :huh:

Taylor had a pencil machine that charged a quarter for each pencil?!?!?!?!

That aint right, the children should have been walking up to the teacher or office and just asking for one. It's the law...
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bmom
Principal
Grant1
Sep 13 2006, 11:55 AM
A few years back we were informed that there were not enough of the science class study guides for each child, and that they would have to share, at that time I informed all of the parents, principal and staff at the meeting that it was the law that each child was required to be supplied these materials since they were required per the cirriculum.


Apparently, at Riley (5th grade) there are not enough Science books to go around. Found this out the other night. If a child needs to take a book home, they have to check it out if one is available. What's up with that? 7 closed schools and not enough Science books. There might be a logical explanation, but I have yet to hear it. Kinda rubbed me wrong.
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new school mom
Principal
my son's teacher said the district provides all needed supplies, her suggested list included things like kleenex, ziploc bags, class snack, ect.
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concerned mom
Principal
Our suggested list included a box of pencils. ??????? :huh:
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loyaltolivonia
Member Avatar
Principal
I never realized that the school was to provide all the basic necessities for school. I really did not! This bothers me a lot.

I'm bothered that LPS has to word things in such a way that some of us parents don't realize that we don't have to provide these items. Why can't they say something like "These supplies will be provided for your child, but if you'd like to buy your own, that would help us with our budget" or anything close to that would be nice. I guess I don't like when things are 'slid by under the radar' like that. It makes me feel like I've been duped. Oh wait, I have :angry:
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Momforone
Principal
loyaltolivonia
Sep 13 2006, 12:41 PM
I never realized that the school was to provide all the basic necessities for school. I really did not! This bothers me a lot.

I'm bothered that LPS has to word things in such a way that some of us parents don't realize that we don't have to provide these items. Why can't they say something like "These supplies will be provided for your child, but if you'd like to buy your own, that would help us with our budget" or anything close to that would be nice. I guess I don't like when things are 'slid by under the radar' like that. It makes me feel like I've been duped. Oh wait, I have :angry:

We all have been duped for a long, long time on a lot of things. That's why we all need to make sure we understand everything that is going on with the district and be really, really involved with our schools, pta's and attend the BOE meetings. If we don't pay attention to what's going on then we have no one else to blame but ourselves. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
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