Note: WTF, Chuck? is an ongoing, though limited, series of articles in which staff writer, Chuck, replies to questions submitted by our readers.
A reader writes:
Dear Chuck,
WTF is up with these school registration fees? I registered my daughter for middle school and the fees came out to be over $100. This was in addition to the two page list of school supplies her teachers required.
Who regulates these fees? How is this money accounted for?
All the teacher could tell me was that some of it was for a planner, some was for a t-shirt, and some was for classroom supplies and other activities.
I’m sure it won’t be long before the fundraising packets start coming home, too. We’ll be selling wrapping paper, cookie dough and anything else they can think of.
I know all they have to say is, “it’s for the children” and people feel like they can’t complain but these fees are ridiculous. I already pay taxes to support the schools. If what these fees are paying for is truly needed for educating the kids, then shouldn’t the schools provide them with existing funds?
So help us out here, Chuck, WTF is up with these school fees?
Sincerely,
A Baldwin County Parent
Dear ABCP,
With kids just returning to school this week, this is a very timely letter. I’m glad you sent this in. If a school has a population of $500 (which is low for some of Baldwin schools) that would be $50,000. For a large high school that could be over $150,000. That’s quite a revenue source.
Are you sure it was over $100? That seems like alot of money for scissors, glue and markers. And chances are they’ll probably just try to cut each other with the scissors after they finish eating the glue and sniffing the markers. Maybe that teacher tricked you in to paying her AEA union dues?
From talking to a few parents with little people in the Baldwin County Public Schools, they say the cost is usually between $40 and $60 depending on grade level.
I see several options for you, ABCP:
- Don’t pay it. What are they gonna do? They can’t call Junior out and prevent him from eating the glue and sniffing the markers. That would ruin his self esteem. This is America! Kids are as entitled to stuff as their parents are.
- Start a “Pay as You Learn” campaign. Assess the kids a daily fee based on how much they learn. Many would never pay a dime.
- Appoint a dog as interim principal at each school (after the elections, of course). Kids who don’t pay the fees? Beware of dog.
- Ask for a donation from Silverhill or your local city government
- Home school the little punks
- Take it out of their allowance
Let’s hear from some of our readers on this topic.
How much were the fees at your kids’ schools? What are the fees used for?
Any teachers or principals out there reading the Baldwin Report? Who decides what the fees will be? Who’s accountable for all this money?
10 comments ↓
Fairhope Middle School - I wrote a check for $142.00 which paid for locker fee, 2 school shirts, a tote bag, the yearbook, p.e. uniform, and I think that was about it. Band would have added another $50 to $75.
The actual supplies are separate. I always pare down what the teachers have on their list to just what my child is going to need and actually use herself.
Chuck, Alabama is a right to work state, no teacher is required to be a member of AEA, the benefits of being a member are scarce. As for legal protection…. lets just say its not as great as people once thought.
how bout a beer, my friend?
Joining the AEA is not required but most new teachers don’t know that. In college, they’re fed a line of BS from the professors about joining NEA to protect themselves from lawsuit. Then they start teaching and are given the paperwork to join as part of the info packet from the school board. Part of the “new teacher academy” is union propoganda as they are alotted time to present their case to teachers. That’s right, the Board pays these teachers to sit and listen to the Union recruitment message.
This year I heard the AEA gave out $50 and $100 gift certificates in a drawing for those who turn in their union paperwork that day. It’s just assumed that teachers will join.
Even when I’ve pointed out the absurdity of joining these bafoons to other teachers, they say they just never thought about not joining.
How many members know that part of their dues are going to support groups like the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Amnesty International, and many other very liberal organizations?
Also, I spent $40 to register my kid at Daphne Elementary. It sounds like I got off cheap compared to some others.
I’m glad you can speak from experience, I know several teachers who did not buy into the hubbert propaganda.
A great example would be the 250,000 wasted on Paul Christopher’s campaign. All but a single donation can be traced back to AEA’s PAC.
That’s new teachers salary, new supplies, better schools, all wasted by AEA in an attempt to unseat Mr. Byrne. Former Teacher, I’d like to buy you a Beer.
Beer man, maybe I’ve had one too many today. I don’t like the fees anymore than anybody else, but dang, it’s hard to argue with the results. What kids are learning these days and how blows my mind. Wish they’d had the gizmos they do now when I was coming along. But then again, in my older day, I could have bought you a Schlitz. did I spell that right, sorry one too many.
If you want to take it over the top, you got to pay the piper. I agree with too many. Don’t like the fees. But we definitely get a big bang for our buck with Baldwin Schools. I couldn’t be more pleased, even with the fees.
I’m not knocking the system… just felt that most of the fees are for non-essentials. (Yearbook) I’m very proud of our local schools, public school lunches are what conditioned my liver for all of my drinking.
Ok well I’m actually a student at FAirhope HS and when my mom registered me for classes it cost 160- for first semester class fees! That wasn’t even including the locker, lab fees, and miscellaneous required fees. Or of curse second semester fees. That is about 250 a year! While we can pay it what about the under priveleged or families with many children in school at once?
If I’m not mistaken, Fairhope offers a great deal more in terms of advanced coursework. You wouldn’t by chance be in aquaculture or engineering classes would you? How about a directed study course, or dual enrollment? There are reasons why FHS is considered a great school… I’m a former grad myself, infact ole Tom piloted a few of the programs exclusive to Fairhope.
Silverhill looks like the place to be. We do not have to pay a regist. fee, unless you count 4 to 6 reams of copy paper! We use the tax money and suffer a bit, but we are no worse for the wear…. YES, our school is older and you get wet going to lunch or PE on rainy days, but again, we are no worse for the wear! Our teachers, ROCK, or most of them anyway. Lunch taste good & is pretty cheap. I guess we shouldn’t complain! HEY, LOCKERS ARE EVEN FREE!!!
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