New School Year, New School Fees

for fiscal 2012, the School Department . The department is hoping the additional fees will bring in around $1 million in new revenue.

Five new fees were voted in for activities including high school and middle school extra-curricular activities or clubs. High school drama, Grade 5 instrumental ensembles as well as All-City band and chorus groups will also have a new fee.

In addition, existing fees for bus transportation, athletics and early-morning programs will see an increase in the 2011-2012 school year.

Family caps, which are the limits a family can pay for a certain activity, will also be increased. The "supercap," or total amount paid for all fees, will increase from $1,000 to $1,800. Parking and early-morning program fees are not included in the supercap.

Below is a chart explaining the new fees and fee increases. This information has been provided by a memo from Deputy Superintendent/Chief Administrative Officer Sandy Guryan, which is included in our photos and .pdf section to the right.

Activity Description Fee amount Fee change High school student activities Covers school-sponsored extra curricular activities and clubs, with the exception of athletics and drama. Students can participate in an unlimited amount of activities with one fee price. $125/student/year New fee Middle school student activities Covers school-sponsored extra curricular activities and clubs known as "Triple E" in the middle schools. The fee does not include athletics and increases with drama participation. Students can participate in an unlimited amount of activities with one fee price. $60/student/year; $100/student/year with drama New fee High school drama  For district-supported high school drama productions.  $150/student/production; $450 max./student/year New fee All-City band and chorus groups Includes the All-City Honors Chorus Treble Singers, All-City Chorus Troubadours, All-City Band and All-City Orchestra. Fee only applies after a student joins, not for an audition. $200/student/year New fee Grade 5 instrumental ensembles Similar to the Grade 4 instrumental music fee. The instrumental music program is not a mandatory part of the curriculum. Students in lower grades who are proficient enough in their instruments to join Grade 5 ensembles are subject to the fee. $200/student/year New fee Bus Those who are eligible for bus transportation will receive an informational packet in the mail this summer with a fee application. A School Committee policy change no longer allows free transportation for students grades K-5 who live between one and two miles of school. $310/student/year; $620 family cap $50 increase High school athletics Many sports will increase by $90 but some sports, including hockey and football, will see a higher increase. $300/sport/season; $400/sport/season (football and hockey); $900 family cap $90 increase; $140 increase for football and hockey Middle school athletics Most sports will increase by $40 for the 2011-2012 season. Fee collection takes place at the schools. $160/sport/season; $480 family cap $40 increase High school parking Parking is only available at Newton South and this fee is paid by semester. The fee will actually decrease for the 2011-2012 school year, but is not subject to the supercap. $180/student/semester; $360/student/year $20 decrease Early-morning programs The early-morning program fee for elementary school students is not subject to the supercap. This fee covers a program that allows parents to drop off students K-5 prior to the start of school.  $12/hour/student $8 increase/hour

Fee payment is available through the schools or online.