By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The student fee policy acceptance by the Juab School
District Board of Education was tabled because of questions
the board had about whether all fees were included on the
high school level.
"Either the fees or on the list or they are not
permitted," said Leon Pexton, board president. "It is not
legal to have even option materials open for purchase by
students if the items are not listed on the fee
schedule."
The question was called to attention when two parents
attended the meeting to discuss the purchase of warm-ups by
members of the girl's softball team.
Following that discussion, an item of business to be
addressed by the board was the fee schedule for the coming
school year&emdash;2002-2003. As board members reviewed the
items, they discovered that some things parents and students
were offered as options were not listed on the fee
schedule.
"All optional items must be listed on the fee
schedule," said Delanie Hathaway, board member. "Legally, we
cannot even offer an item to students if it is not on the
fee schedule."
The board and the district are breaking the law if a
full-disclosure is not made to parents of costs of
participation in any activity are not clearly stated. There
may have been some confusion among coaches and advisors
about options but these must also be listed.
"Otherwise, we are breaking the law," said Rick Welsh,
board member.
Julie Smalley, board member, said she had questions
about whether everything was listed on the fee schedule. As
she reviewed it, she said, it appeared to her that optional
items were not always included.
"We cannot turn a blind eye," said Dale Fowkes, board
member.
Board members have, in the past, demanded that fees
for cheerleaders, for example, be kept under $600 per
student. That fee includes a turtleneck sweater,
short-sleeved sweater with emblems, poly top, short-sleeved
sweater, pleated skirt, shoes, trunks, socks, day wear, and
as options, camp and a megaphone.
Drill team fees cannot exceed $600 per member. The
fees, usually $415 for a first time member, include the
uniforms, shoes and tights needed. In addition, there are
options which include a jacket, team photos, and camps.
Boys and Girls Athletics include shoes and jerseys, a
football spirit pack, volleyball knee pads, and like items.
However, the fee schedule does not have sweats listed as an
option or as a requirement.
Board members voted to table the fee schedule until
the May meeting. Meanwhile, the coaches and advisors of the
teams and activities will revise the schedule and make
certain it includes even optional items.
"Tell them: 'You cannot do this if it is not on the
fee schedule,'" said Pexton to Superintendent Kirk
Wright.
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