photo by: Journal-World

Lawrence Public Schools district offices pictured in April 2021.

The Lawrence school board is set to vote next week on increases to school fees for the upcoming school year.

As part of its meeting Monday, the board will vote on a fee proposal that includes increases to the district’s basic school fee and the addition of a new device fee. Based on previous feedback from the board, the new proposal increases the discount provided to certain low-income families.

During the board’s last discussion about fees on June 27, board members pushed back against a proposal that would eliminate school fee waivers for some low-income families and instead charge them up to $90 per student, voicing concerns about the burden on families. Specifically, under the previous proposal, basic school fees would continue to be waived for the lowest-income families, those that qualify for free school meals, but families who only qualify for reduced-price meals would no longer qualify for a complete fee waiver. Instead, those families would begin paying basic school fees at a 50% reduced rate and a portion of the new device fee.

The new proposal would continue to waive basic fees for families who qualify for free school meals and would provide a 70% reduced rate on basic fees for families who qualify for reduced-price school meals. Waivers or reductions would also be applied to the new device fee for those families.

photo by: USD 497

Lawrence school district 2023-2024 proposed school fee schedule.

Under the current proposal, the basic school fee would increase to $100 for elementary students and $150 for secondary students. Students at all levels who don’t qualify for waivers or reductions would also continue to pay a $15 activity fee, and secondary students may also pay additional fees for certain courses and extracurricular activities. The reduced rate would therefore be $30 for elementary students and $45 for secondary students.

The proposed device fee would be $15 for elementary and middle school students and $25 for high school students. The discounted device fee for families who qualify for reduced-price school meals would be $10 for elementary and middle school students and $15 for high school students.

In other business, the board will elect its new president and vice president.

The Lawrence school board will meet at 6 p.m. at district offices, 110 McDonald Drive.