Detroit News: Oakland County parents file suit over public school fees
I’ve talked during back to school season about the fact that Michigan public schools have traditionally not posted or distributed classroom supply lists.
While many parents do so as a practical detail, and there is a huge campaign every year in Monroe County to get donated school supplies to needy students, the historical policy in Michigan is that any required items should be provided by the districts at no additional charge to the families.
The Detroit News has a piece today about just such a dispute in Oakland County - Parents file suit over school district fees.
A snippet:
In August, students were required to purchase a “Destination Derby” assignment book ($10) that includes a dress code and other policies. The school also required locks to be purchased from the school ($6) because it holds the master key for access to lockers.
“The gym uniform they must purchase costs $19 and has a T-shirt which says ‘Birmingham Physical Education’ — what do they need that for?” (the attorney) Wasvary asked.
This post has one comment
January 2nd, 2013
In Winchester Va, every year we have back to school fees for things such as planners, musical classes, instruments, sports, gym uniforms, etc etc. Having thee kids (one in middle school, two in high school) and it is a tough time for me to get to get their fees paid, get their uniform for gym class, and get the “recommended” supplies. My only relief now is that my daughter will be graduating, and my son and other daughter had opted to stop playing in the band to switch over to choir.