I. PURPOSE

To establish general guidelines on student school fees and debts.

II. SCOPE

This policy applies to all Shelby County Schools (SCS) students.

III. POLICY STATEMENT

SCS is able to offer many programs due to the generous financial commitments of our parents and guardians. Without those financial commitments, SCS would not be able to offer many programs. School systems may request payment of school “fees”. A “fee” is defined by State law and rules promulgated by the Tennessee Board of Education.

All school fees must be authorized by the Board. School fees, as authorized by the Board, shall be categorized as 1) requested fees; and 2) required fees/fines/debts.

A. Requested Fees (may only be requested)

The District may request fees of students for any of the following:

1. Fees for activities that occur during regular school hours;
2. 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;
3. Fees or tuition applicable to courses taken during the summer by a student; except that nonresident students regularly enrolled in another school system may be required to pay fees or tuition for such summer course;
4. Fees required for graduation ceremonies; and
5. 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.

However, if parents or guardians do not desire to pay the aforementioned fees, they may request a fee waiver from the Principal of the school at which their child is enrolled. The “request for fee waiver” shall be made on a form that will be provided to each parent at the time a school fee is requested.

B. Required Fees/Fines (may be required)

The District may require and collect the following fees/fines from students:

1. 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;
2. Refundable security deposits collected by a school for use of school property for participating in extracurricular activities;
3. Costs for extracurricular activities occurring outside the regular school day including sports, optional trips, clubs or social events; and
4. Non-resident tuition charged of all students attending a school system other than the one serving their place of residence.

Withholding of Student Grades for Debts Owed to the School.

1. Report cards, diplomas, and transcripts of students who take SCS property or students who have incurred a debt to a school, shall be withheld until the student makes restitution in full.
2. SCS shall permit the student and/or the student's parent to direct any dispute of a debt, the amount of the debt, or the application of sanctions to the Asst. Superintendent of Student Services. The decision of the Asst. Superintendent of Student Services shall be final.

IV. RESPONSIBILITY

A. The Superintendent is responsible for ensuring that this policy is followed.

1. TRR/MS 0520-01-03-.03

2. T.C.A. 49-2-110(c)

3. T.C.A. 49-2-114