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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- In a time when money is tight, some parents are having a hard time paying for school fees.
A Granite School District spokesman says principals are reporting twice as many requests for waiving the fees, which vary from district to district. The money is often for "electives" such as football and band, but can also include basics like registration.
State Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove, tried getting a bill through the Legislature that would abolish fees for basic academic items like textbooks, science lab, registration and parking.
"Districts have said it will cost them $13 million, which would require us to find money elsewhere in the budget or raise taxes," Frank said. "I don't think that would appeal to my constituents."
Mark Weidenbacher of West Valley City has asked John F. Kennedy Junior High to waive its basic enrollment fee of $84 for his daughter, Marcayla. The girl has diabetes and Weidenbacher says the out-of-pocket expenses for medical costs and a special diet take away a chunk of his income, so although his salary is above the waiver limit, he can't afford the school fees.
"I'm not going to trade my daughter's life to pay school fees," Weidenbacher said. "I just won't do it."
Weidenbacher says the school granted his waiver request last year and agreed to again, provided Marcayla works for it and perform 10 hours of service to the school. Weidenbacher said he is OK with the idea, but questions the fairness of asking some students to work while others get off "scot-free."
"I understand the need for guidelines," he said. "But there's a point at which you have to question right from wrong."
The Utah State Board of Education published work guidelines that urge schools to look beyond janitorial work for tasks that "enhance self-esteem," are "age-appropriate" and in line with a student's abilities.
Dave Stoddard, director of high schools at Jordan School District, said work arrangements can also vary, depending on the circumstances.
"Sometimes it's not worth the trouble of finding meaningful work and then supervising the kids," said Dave Stoddard, director of high schools at Jordan School District. "On the other hand we get parents asking to have their kids work."
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
