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New Trier School Board OKs new fee structure
Updated: April 1, 2013 7:11AM
NORTHFIELD — The New Trier School Board has passed their new fee structure for the 2013-14 school year, but not without more discussion.
The motion was under the board’s consent agenda at the Feb. 19 meeting, but was pulled by Board Member John Myefski.
According to a board memo, the new mandatory fee structure is $110 for the general fee and $80 for the extracurricular fee.
Covered under the general fee are school day testing, college transcripts, ID card, towel service, technology and materials and supplies for all courses. The extracurricular fee includes the opportunity to participate in student clubs, athletics and performing arts, materials/supplies for extracurricular activities, entrance to general admission concerts and plays at New Trier and admission to home athletic events.
Myefski had hoped to flip-flop the fee numbers and charge $80 for the general fee and $110 for the extracurricular fee, but was unable to find support.
“I don’t think the extracurricular fee is high enough for what we give and I feel the general fee is too high,” Myefski said. “(Families) are going to have to pay $190 no mater what. I’m just trying to keep the general fee as low as I possibly can.”
Board Member Patrick O’Donoghue felt the district should figure out fees program by program to find “true costs,” while others were just fine with the model presented.
“I think the practical implementation of that is not possible,” said board member Carol Ducommun. “I think it’s too much of a task for the business office.”
Board president Alan Dolinko and board members Mac Harris, Lori Goldstein, Peter Fischer and Ducommun voted yes for the presented fee structure while Myefski and O’Donoghue were the only no votes.
The total $190 fee is mandatory for all 4,200 students and creates $798,000 in revenue to cover an estimated $758,381 in curricular fees.
During past discussions the board agreed to remain revenue neutral and expected families of current students to pay a little more than the general taxpayer.
