The board believes students should respect school district property and assist in its preservation for future use by others. Students may be assessed fines, fees, or charges for the materials needed in a course, for overdue school materials, for participating in activities, or for misuse or damage of school property.
The superintendent [or designee] will inform the school board of the dollar amount to be charged to students or others for fines, fees, or charges on an annual basis and the information will be posted on the district website.
Legal custodians or students who complete the official district Free and Reduced Application and meet the specific financial eligibility standards as set by the Department of Education Bureau of Food and Nutrition or by direct certification from the Department of Human Services through Student Reporting in Iowa (SRI) will automatically be granted full or partial fee waivers depending on their qualification. Legal custodians or students who do not participate in the district’s Free and Reduced Meal Program may qualify for full, partial, or temporary waivers by completing the Temporary Standard Fee Waiver Application (Refer to Policy 505.3-E).
Fines or charges assessed for damage or loss to school property are not fees and will not be waived.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] in conjunction with building principals to implement administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Adopted: 9/96
Reviewed: 4/12; 7/13; 12/20; 10/23
Revised: 4/11; 10/14; 11/17
Related Policy: 505.3-R; 505.3-E; 802.3
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 256.7(20); 279.8; 280.10-11; 282.6; 285.1; 301.1; 281 IAC 18.2
IASB Reference: 503.03
Mandatory Policy
The board recognizes that while certain fees charged to students are appropriate and authorized, certain students and their families (hereafter referred to as legal custodians) are not financially able to pay the fees. The school district will grant either full waivers, partial waivers, or temporary waivers depending upon the circumstances and the student’s or the legal custodian’s ability to meet the financial criteria.
WAIVERS
Full Waivers: A student will be granted a full waiver of fees charged by the district if the student or student's legal custodian meets the financial eligibility criteria for free meals under the Child Nutrition Program, Family Investment Program, Supplemental Security Income Guidelines, or transportation assistance under open enrollment. Students in foster care are also eligible for full waivers. The waiver application is available through the Linn-Mar Nutrition Services Department.
Partial Waivers: A student will be granted a partial waiver (50% reduction) of fees charged by the district if the student or the student's legal custodian meets the financial eligibility criteria for reduced price meals offered under the Child Nutrition Program. The waiver application is available through the Linn-Mar Nutrition Services Department.
Temporary Waivers: A student may be eligible for a temporary waiver of fees charged by the district in the event the student's legal custodian is facing financial difficulty. Temporary waivers may be applied for at any time throughout the school year and will not extend beyond the end of that school year.
APPLICATION
Legal custodians or students who do not participate in the district’s Free and Reduced Meal Program by completing the district’s official Free and Reduced Application or by direct certification through the Department of Human Resources must complete a Temporary Standard Fee Waiver Application (Refer to Policy 505.3-E) provided by the district to be eligible for a fee waiver. Applications may be made at any time but must be renewed annually.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The district will treat the application and application process as any other student record. Student confidentiality and access provisions will be followed.
APPEALS
Denial of a fee waiver may be appealed to the superintendent [or designee].
NOTICE
The district will notify the legal custodians and students of the waiver on an annual basis. The following information will be included in registration materials and printed in the district’s annual handbook:
Students whose legal custodians meet the income guidelines for free and reduced price meals, the Family Investment Program (FIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance under open enrollment status, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived.
Students whose legal custodians are experiencing temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees. Legal custodians or students who believe they may qualify for temporary financial hardship may print the Temporary Standard Fee Waiver Application (Refer to Policy 505.3-E) from the district’s website or contact the Nutrition Services Department to obtain a form. This waiver does not carry over from year-to-year and must be completed on an annual basis.
Adopted: 9/96
Reviewed: 4/12; 7/13; 11/17; 12/20; 10/23
Revised: 4/11; 10/14
Related Policy: 505.3; 505.3-E
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 256.7; 279.8; 280.10-11; 282.6; 285.1; 301.1; 281 IAC 18.2
IASB Reference: 503.03-R(1)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE STANDARD FEE WAIVER APPLICATION
School Year:
Date:
All information provided in connection with this application will be kept confidential.
Name of Student:
Grade:
Building:
Name of Parent/Guardian (Or legal/actual custodian):
Address:
Please check type of waiver desired:
_____Full Waiver
_____Partial Waiver
_____Temporary Waiver
Please check if the student of the student's family meets the financial eligibility criteria or is involved in one of the following programs:
Full Waiver
_____Free meals offered under the Children Nutrition Program
_____Family Investment Program (FIP)
_____Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
_____Transportation assistance under open enrollment status
_____Foster care
Partial Waiver
_____Reduced priced meals offered under the Children Nutrition Program
Temporary Waiver: If none of the above apply but you wish to apply for a temporary waiver of school fees because of serious financial problems, please state the reason for the request. _____________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian (or legal/actual custodian):
Note: Your signature is required for the release of information regarding the student or the family's financial eligibility for the programs checked above.
Administrative Action: _____Approved _____Denied
By:
Date:
Completed fee waiver forms shall be filed annually and will remain on file in the school office for five years.
Please return this form to:
Linn-Mar Community School District
Business Office
2999 N 10th Street
Marion IA 52302
Reviewed: 7/13; 10/14; 11/17; 12/20
Revised: 10/23
Related Policy: 505.3; 505.3-R