State agrees to go “fee free” at public schools
Settling lawsuit, officials aim to stop unconstitutional charges
Take action
• To request a refund of a student fee in San Diego, call the district’s legal office at 619-725-5630.
• To report a fee charged in violation of the Constitution, call The Watchdog at 619-293-2275 or email watchdog@uniontrib.com
California will crack down on myriad illegal school fees charged to students taking part in such programs as art, athletics, band, cheer and gym if a landmark lawsuit settlement announced Thursday is approved.
The agreement hinges on court approval and legislation that would require a standard complaint process for students, annual audits of such fees, fines for districts for charging them illegally, and resolution for families within 30 days of any illegal charges.
The state Constitution requires a free education be available to children. A 1984 Supreme Court ruling determined that extracurricular activities are an extension of that promise. Even so,