464: Fees
Responsible Administrator: Associate Superintendent Corporate Services
PURPOSE
Fees are assessed to students to offset the cost of providing educational and transportation services. Fees shall be utilized for the purpose which it was obtained
DEFINITIONS
School Fees: shall refer to fees charged by the schools to enhance student learning opportunities; including field trip fees, event fees, student union fees, middle and high school option courses and instrument fees.
Transportation Fees: shall refer to fees that are charged for bus services for transportation to and from school. Transportation Fees are located in Policy 500: Student Transportation Services - Exhibit 1 - Transportation Fee Schedule.
Adult Fees: shall refer to fees charged to a student who is 20 years of age or older by the start of the school year. The Alberta Government will no longer fund education for students who are 20 years of age as outlined in the Funding Manual and those wishing to acquire a high school diploma (or equivalent) must cover the cost of their education.
Extra-curricular Fees: shall refer to fees, charged on a cost recovery basis, for non-curricular items such as sports, clubs, travel, and other non-curriculum programs. Participation in an extra-curricular activity is on a voluntary basis.
Non-resident Tuition Fees: shall refer to tuition fees, with respect of an individual who attends a school operated by the board, and who is not a resident student of the board or any other board or the Government, and as legislated in the Education Act s. 13(2).
Designated School: shall refer to the school, assigned by the Board to a specific geographical area, and as legislated by the Education Act (S.10): "Enrolment in school operated by board".
PROCESS
No parent shall pay a fee to offset basic educational services, or that is prohibited under provincial legislation, the Alberta School Fees Regulation, and the Alberta School Transportation Regulation.
Non-Resident Tuition Fees, Pre-Kindergarten Fees, Dual Credit Fee, Adult Tuition Fee, and High School Equivalency Evaluation are all set annually by the Division in AP 464: Fees - Exhibit 1 - Fees.
The Principal may assign other fees at the school within the limits set by the Division on a cost recovery basis. Prior to charging the fee, the Principal shall consult with the School Council on the amount and the reason for the fee. This consultation shall:
- Ensure the fees are on the School Council agenda to provide all parents with the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback; and
- Provide sufficient information as to the purpose of the fee and its intended use.
School Fee schedules shall be posted on each school's website and shall clearly define Division Fees and School Fees, in addition to mandatory versus optional fees.
The Fee Schedule shall be posted electronically on the Division website.
A student transferring in after the start of the school term or out prior to the end of the school term, may have fees prorated or refunded as applicable. Requests for refunds from families transferring out of the Division during the school year will be assessed based on fee type, usage, and time of year.
The Principal shall ensure the return of any underutilized fees as specifically levied for an activity or event as prudent to do so.
Collection of Fees
The Division is responsible for the collection of Transportation Fees and the school Principal is responsible for ensuring the collection of all other fees.
All fees are due within 30 days of receipt. Overdue notices will be sent to parents who have not submitted payments. obtained.
A notice will be sent to parents with delinquent accounts. Outstanding accounts, other than those on payment plans or approved requests for waived fees, may be placed with a collection agency.
Waiver of Fees
An AP 464: Fees - Exhibit 2 - Fee Waiver Application shall be made available, based on income level of all parents as defended by s. 47 of the Family Law Act unless there is a court order that directs financial responsibility.
The AP 464: Fees - Exhibit 2 - Fee Waiver Application shall be completed,and the final decision for such waiver rests with the Associate Superintendent, Corporate Services.
An AP 464: Fees - Exhibit 2 - Fee Waiver Application will not be considered for Choice Rider, Ineligible Rider, Non-Resident Rider, Supplemental Bus, or other fees such as Academies, Textbook/Library Fines. Some special program fees may not be waived at the discretion of the principal.
Fees for Damaged Goods
Principals shall be responsible for ensuring that all curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular goods are returned by students and the appropriate charges are assessed for lost or damaged goods.
References:
Board Policy: 225 Role of the Board
Board Policy: 500 Student Transportation Services
Education Act: Sections 13, 57, 59
School Fees Alberta Regulation 95/2019
School Transportation Alberta Regulation 96/2019
AP 464: Fees - Exhibit 1 - Fees
AP 464: Fees - Exhibit 2 - Fee Waiver Application
Policy 500: Student Transportation Services - Exhibit 1 - Transportation Fee Schedule
History
2023 August 23
2024 November 22
Administrative Procedures IV. Business Administration (Fees)