BETTSVILLE - Bettsville Local Schools Board of Education members debated the necessity of charging class fees for the 2009-10 school year Monday night.
Proposed fees are the same as last year, with kindergarten at $20, elementary and middle school at $35, and high school at $45. The fees are used for school supplies, including textbooks, board members said.
Treasurer Roger Luhring said the school collected more than $6,800 in fees last year, and more than $4,300 in fees is outstanding. Board member Marc Liggett said the collection of class fees is "not equitable," and $6,800 would not make or break the school.
Liggett said he opposes charging fees, especially when students are not required to pay to play school sports.
Board member Leslie Hunker said Bettsville is "in alliance with other schools" in setting the amount to charge per class. Students are required to pay any outstanding fees before graduation, or their diplomas are held. The board discussed the option of letting students with outstanding fees work off the debt by doing service work on school grounds.
The board voted to approve the proposed fee schedule.
Liggett also voiced concern about Bettsville's participation in basketball shootouts. The team participated in at least three shootouts in recent months, at a cost of $210-$250 per event. Because the school covers that cost, Liggett suggested shootout participation "could be setting a bad precedent."
The expense of the shootouts, Liggett said, "seems like a lot of money to me for six or seven kids."
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Michelle Dantuano said the school has considered the possibility of fundraising to help offset event costs.
The board also accepted the resignation of teacher Stacey Grant, effective at the end of the 2008-09 contract year, and the employment of Jeffrey Lynch as yearbook advisor.
Superintendent Paul Orshoski said Grant's position will be absorbed by Lynch, and her resignation may allow the school to offer additional hours to other staff members, based on seniority
In other business, the board:
* Approved the Bettsville Recreation Board's resolution to place a levy on the November ballot. Ligget expressed disappointment in the recreation board's lack of attendance at school board meetings.
* Heard Orshoski announce student and athlete handbooks will be ready in August, and the school is still looking to fill the position of bus driver/coordinator.
* Learned the state's report detailing school funding has been released. The board expects Bettsville's funding to increase slightly for the next two years.
