In compliance with Section 55 of the Educational Improvement Act of 1991 and Tennessee State Board of Education Rule 0520-1-3-.03(14) "School Fees" adopted June 24, 1992, the fees charged in Shelby County to students for in-school activities and/or supplies required for participation in courses offered for credit or grade will be waived for verified students, i.e., a student enrolled in Shelby County Schools who receives free or reduced meals, upon the written request of the parent/guardian on the approved form.
The following school fees and costs for supplies can be waived under this policy:
Fees for activities that occur during regular school hours, including field trips, any portion of which fall within the school day;
Fees for activities and supplies required to participate in all courses offered for credit or grade, including interscholastic athletics and marching band if taken for credit in accordance with local board policies;
Fees or tuition applicable to courses taken for credit or grade during the summer by a student; except that non-resident students regularly enrolled in another school system may be required to pay fees or tuition for such summer courses;
Fees required for graduation ceremonies;
Fees for a copy of the student's record; and
Refundable security deposits collected by a school for use of school property for courses offered for credit or grade, including interscholastic athletics and marching band if taken for credit in accordance with local board policies.
The following fees and charges cannot be waived under this policy:
Fines imposed on all students for late-returned library books; parking or other traffic fines imposed for abuse of parking privileges on school property; or reasonable charges for lost or destroyed textbooks, library books, workbooks or any other property of the school;
Debts incurred pursuant to TRR/MS §0520-1-3-.03(14)(1992), Withholding of Student Grades for Debts Owed to the School;
Refundable security deposits collected by a school for use of school property for participation in extracurricular activities;
Costs for extracurricular activities occurring outside the regular school day including sports, optional trips, clubs or social events; and
Non-resident tuition charged of all students attending a school system other than the one serving their place of residence.
Local education agencies shall provide written notice to parents or legal guardians of approval or denial of requests for fee waivers. Any denial shall contain the specific grounds for denial and shall afford the parents or legal guardian the opportunities for a personal meeting with the appropriate school personnel to discuss the validity of the denial.
Local education agencies shall keep copies of any forms, notices and/or instructions used by schools in the waiver of fees and shall keep records of any denials, appeals of denials, and resolution of such appeals.
Names of verified students shall not be published, posted or announced in any manner. Only those persons who are responsible for collecting fees will be provided a list of the names of students verified for fee waivers.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The principal is responsible for administering the entire fee waiver application,
notification. and appeals process. Records related to this program shall be maintained
in the school office in strictest confidence. Recommendations for changes in policy
or implementation procedures should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent
of Curriculum & Accountability.
T.C.A.§49-1-302
TRR/MS §0520-1-3-.03(14)
Chapter 535 of the Acts of the 97th General Assembly, Section 55