The Clark County School District intends to eliminate class fees next year for all secondary schools.

Numerous parents expressed concern over the cost of education, which prompted the district to conduct a comparison study of fees charged for classes in areas such as science, art, and woodshop.

The district has decided to revert back to its original policy on class fees that allows fees charged in classes only where students are allowed to take home the materials they paid for.

The administrators at the district level are planning to meet with principals across the county to further discuss this issue before making any changes.

“We want to make sure that the fees are consistent from school to school,” said Southwest Superintendent Dr. Allen Coles.

Each individual school in the district currently charges different class fees. The school district is concerned over the possible inequity of the matter.

“If it’s a public education, it should be equitable,” agrees Sierra Vista Principal Emil Wozniak.

Class fees were originally designed to be charged for supplies that students used to create projects they can later take home, such as the case with art classes, woodshop, and food production.

As time progressed, and schools added and expanded courses, fees were increased. There are certain fees charged for the use of equipment, in order to maintain their upkeep, such as sewing machines for fashion apparel and construction.

One of the major causes of concern for the administration in regarding the lab fees charged for science classes. Lab fees do not go into student projects; rather they are used to pay for new equipment and for the replacement of those that become damaged. In addition to the payment of $10 for use of lab equipment, there is also a cost of $12 for a lab notebook, which students use to record labs performed.

“The lab notebooks are helpful when you go to college,” says Sierra Vista senior Virgil Sims. “It’s just a couple of dollars.”

There are students who disagree with Sims, countering that items such as the lab notebooks are not useful, and should not be a forced requirement.

Students like Sims feel that the elimination of class fees will negatively impact the quality of their education. Others, however, disagree.

“I thought we went to a public school,” said Sierra Vista junior Julie Fogarty. “Isn’t our education supposed to be free?”

Since Sierra Vista is a public institution, the bulk of its budget does come form government funds. However, Nevada is currently ranked 48th in the nation in per pupil spending, placing the state far below national average.

In the past, Sierra Vista was able to supplement state money through profits gained from vending machines. The new nutritional policy, however, has caused this source of income to decrease greatly.

After spending $200,000 on textbooks alone, the school is not left with much money for the almost one hundred electives Sierra Vista currently offers.

“It’s impossible to start a class like broadcast journalism,” states Sierra Vista Vice Principal Gwen Amie.

Administrators, as well as concerned parents, students, and teachers, would like to see Nevada State Legislation expend per pupil spending to national average.

Sierra Vista’s administration has come up with a few ways to curb the elimination of class fees for next year. Principal Wozniak hopes to include a letter in the first mailer sent out to parents, which would solicit contributions that would go directly to the department of their choosing.

“We just wish we didn’t have to worry about this, but you do what you have to do,” says Amie.

In the past, when students were not able to afford the course, the administration has been able to take care of the fee and allow the small percentage of students into the class.

“No student has been denied a course,” said Wozniak.

Judge’s Comments:
A fairly balanced and straightforward piece. A nice job explaining both sides and laying out the important issue that affects students and the school.