Dear Parents and Guardians:

Update on School Fees

Instruction and educational resources are to be provided free of charge

In a press release of Nov. 1, 2006, the Minister of Education states that School Boards are required to comply with the fees ruling that has helped clarify when school boards can and cannot charge fees.

The School Act states that a board must provide free of charge to every student of school age resident in British Columbia and enrolled in an educational program in a school operated by the board, instruction in an educational program sufficient to meet the general requirements for graduation, instruction in an educational program after the student has met the general requirements for graduation, and educational resources materials necessary to participate in the educational program.

School Boards may continue to charge fees

The Minister’s press release confirms the ability of the school board to continue to charge student fees.

The School Board Fees Order continues to permit school boards to charge fees for the purchase of paper, writing tools, calculators, student planners, exercise books, computer diskettes and other school supplies and equipment for a student’s personal use. A board may also charge for materials used in goods that are intended for the student to take home for personal use or as a gift.

A board may also charge fees for field trips and for the rental of musical instruments, under certain conditions.

Field Trip fees: If the field trip is an enhancement of the class or course, not necessary for its successful completion, and attendance is optional, the school may recover expenses from the students who choose to attend. When arranging optional field trips, teachers must make alternative provisions for those students who choose not to participate.

Musical Instruments: A board may charge for the use of a musical instrument beyond that which would reasonably be required for a student in a music course that is part of the educational program leading to graduation. The possible implications for the school district to be required to provide musical instruments for secondary classroom instruction would seriously compromise the ability to continue to provide these programs without some alternate funding or processes being established. The board will be reviewing its options in consultation with parents and the community.

Fees that are also permitted include:

Student Activity Fees: These include items such as agenda books, special events, student council, and support for clubs. As these are not specifically related to classroom instruction, fees are permitted.

Extra-curricular Activities: School sports, band trips, drama clubs, ski trips, year-end outings to the water slides are all examples of what would be considered extra-curricular activities, and fees are permitted. If these activities are carried out in class time, alternative arrangements will be made for any student who remains at school.

Elementary Band and Strings: Band and Strings has been offered as an optional program on a fee-paying basis. Participation in Band and Strings is not required for a student to complete the prescribed learning outcomes for fine arts in the elementary grades. Elementary Band and Strings fees are permitted.

Outdoor School: Participation in Outdoor School programs has always been optional with provision made for those students who choose not to attend during the time available for their school’s visit. Outdoor School fees are permitted.

Enhanced educational opportunities

The North Vancouver School Board remains dedicated to providing a wide range of educational opportunities for each student, including as many enriching activities as possible.

In accordance with the School Act and with the School Board Fees Ministerial Order, the Board may charge a fee for goods and services associated with optional enrichment activities that extend learning opportunities for the students beyond the basic educational program. Arrangements must be made for the basic educational program to be provided in a fee free manner.

Further review will be conducted

A review of the current fees charged is continuing to ensure compliance with the recent court ruling. While most, if not all, of the current fees are permitted, it is important that we are clear in our communication to parents of the basis for these fees. We anticipate receiving a report from the newly established North Vancouver School Fees Task Force by February and subsequently we will make any necessary adjustments.

We must also continue to ensure that students can be provided free of charge with instruction in an educational program sufficient to meet the general requirements for graduation and educational resources materials necessary to participate in the educational program. This may also require some adjustment in our current practices in the weeks and months ahead.

Financial hardship

Principals will continue to ensure that there is a fair and confidential procedure for waiving a fee, in whole or in part, for cases where a student would not be able to participate in curricular activities due to financial hardship. Parents are encouraged to contact the Principal, Administrative Assistant, teacher or grade counselor.

Proceeding with practicality and in collaboration

We understand that there is a degree of ambiguity remaining regarding certain school fees and that this has created uncertainty for parents, staff and students. We also appreciate that there are reasonable expectations that we continue to provide the educational programs and services that we have communicated to parents and students in the development of our plans for the delivery of instruction this school year.

In order to provide the quality of programs in the manner that we have established for this school year, we will now continue with the collection of school fees as established and will proceed with the delivery of programs and services supported by such fees, making use of those funds that have previously been collected and held ‘in trust’. Where necessary, we will make adjustments to our practices in the delivery of programs, or to our expenditures to ensure that we continue to be in compliance with the School Act and with the School Board Fees Ministerial Order.

Through continued collaboration with our parents, teachers, staff and students we will develop a reasoned and practical approach to this issue that will provide a degree of certainty and stability for the continued delivery of quality educational programs in the North Vancouver School District for the start of the 2007/08 school year and for the future. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Yours sincerely,

John Lewis , Superintendent of Schools