Stevensville School District

STUDENTS

Student Fees and Fines

Within the concept of free public education, the District will provide an educational program for students as free of costs as possible.

Fees
The Board may require fees for actual cost of breakage and for excessive supplies used in commercial, industrial arts, music, domestic science, science, or agriculture courses. The Board may also charge a student a reasonable fee for any course or activity not reasonably related to a recognized academic and educational goal of the District or for any course or activity taking place outside normal school functions. The Board may waive fees in cases of financial hardship.

The Board delegates authority to the Superintendent to establish appropriate fees and procedures
governing collection of fees and asks the Superintendent to make annual reports to the Board regarding fee schedules. The Board also may require fees for actual cost of breakage and for excessive supplies used in commercial, industrial arts, music, domestic science, science, or agriculture courses.

Fines
The District holds a student responsible for the cost of replacing materials or property that are lost or damaged because of negligence. A building administrator will notify a student and parent regarding the nature of violation or damage, how restitution may be made, and how an appeal may be instituted.

Withholding and Transferring Records for Unpaid Fines or Fees
The District may not refuse to transfer files to another district because a student owes fines or fees. The District may not withhold the school schedule of a student because the student owes fines or fees. The district may withhold the grades, diploma, or transcripts of a current or former student who is responsible for the cost of school materials or the loss or damage of school property until the student or the student’s parent or guardian pays the owed fines or fees.

In the event a student who owes fines or fees transfers to another school district in the state and the District has decided to withhold a the student’s grades, diploma, or transcripts from the student and the student’s parent or guardian, the District shall:

1. Upon receiving notice that the student has transferred to another school district in the state, notify the student’s parent or guardian in writing that the school district to which the student has transferred will be requested to withhold the student’s grades, diploma, or transcripts until any obligation has been satisfied;
2. Forward appropriate grades or transcripts to the school district to which the student has transferred;
3. At the same time, notify the school district to which the student has transferred of any financial obligation of the student and request the withholding of the student grades, diploma, or transcripts until any obligations are met;
4. When the student or the student’s parent or guardian satisfies the obligation, inform the school district to which the pupil student has transferred.

A student or parent may appeal the imposition of a charge for damages to the Superintendent and to the Board.

Legal reference:
§ 20-1-213 (3), MCA Transfer of school records
§ 20-5-201(4), MCA Duties and sanctions
§ 20-7-601, MCA Free textbook provisions
§ 20-9-214, MCA Fees

Policy History:
Adopted on: February 12, 2002
Reviewed on: April 12, 2006; January 14, 2020
Revised on: May 10, 2016; February 11, 2020