School Board nixes activity fee pitch
By Joshua Brown
Aug 13, 2010, 09:08
PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George School Board tabled indefinitely a resolution to charge N.B. Clements Junior High band and choir students fees for the programs materials and discussed the future of the system's parent-teacher organizations at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Commissioners voted unanimously to table a resolution on fees charged to band and choir students at N.B. Clements Junior High because questions lingered over whether such an action would ultimately result in fees for all the system's activities, like football and cheerleading. Another concern was that the school system would be implementing a fee at just the junior high school instead of a systemwide charge.
Principal Peter Fisher told board members that the fees would cover things like band folders and shirts the two groups use at performances — typically paid for through fundraising. Fisher said the choral and band directors approached him about the fees because they felt the parents were being hit with too many fundraisers throughout the year.
"This will be a very focal point in the next three-five years in view of the shortfall in state funds, because now school districts are being creative in finding ways to come up with the money," Superintendent Dr. Bobby Browder said.
Board Chairman Roger Franklin said, "It concerns me that once we start charging fees [for the band and choir], we're gonna have to start charging athletic fees and theater fees and we'll be looking at sports fees, I mean, across the board."
Board members also discussed the future of parent-teacher organizations in the school system because the organizations have had difficulty recruiting members to serve for the volunteer positions, including treasurer and president. Talk largely centered on the number and types of fundraisers held yearly by the organizations and who was responsible for keeping track of the funds.
A motion to limit the number of large fundraisers each year to only two died for lack of a second. Board Member Robert Cox ticked off several events held at one school last year, including portrait sessions with grandparents and parents, before concluding "this is going a little bit out of the realm of a fundraiser."
One example he cited was the decision by one school, which he left unnamed, to encourage students to sell magnets and as a reward allowed students to miss one day a week of physical education.
"A lot of parents feel like they're being held for ransom," Cox said.
Questions also arose over who should be responsible for the funds raised by parent-teacher organizations, with members mentioning the possibility of a change in the way the organizations are audited.
Board Member Lewis Stevenson suggested that the school board keep money it gives back to the board of supervisors each year for certain improvements usually handled through PTO fundraising, like playground equipment.
"We give back money every year from the county, maybe we need to stop doing that?" he said.
Also at the meeting Tuesday, the board approved changes to the system policy manual, the "vast majority of which" had to do with changes in state, federal and board of education code, Franklin said.
A resolution to update the school crisis, emergency management and medical emergency response plans was tabled until the school system could ensure that phone numbers were correct for emergency contacts, notably because of the relocation of the police department while its headquarters is renovated.
Members also approved an application for title I, II, and III grant funds, which will be used to fund various positions, professional development and teaching materials.
