Hillsborough officials say charter schools walk fine line between fees and donations
TAMPA — When it came time for the Hillsborough County School District to renew its charter for Trinity School for Children, officials did so with a list of recommendations.
Don't pressure parents to give money, they advised the school. As a recipient of state funding, schooling is supposed to be free. Don't use invoices for donations, as these imply an obligation.
And check with the governing board before a child is tossed out because his parents did not volunteer enough hours.
Just what can be expected of charter school parents is a hot topic as the movement continues to flourish in Florida and nationwide.
The independently run schools cannot charge tuition, attorney Tom Gonzalez said at Tuesday's School Board meeting before a vote on the renewal. They can't charge fees for things students must have for their studies.
Students must have free access to books, even if they are classroom sets that remain at school. They might be asked to pay for some materials, such as workbooks. But if a child cannot pay, he said, the school must make arrangements to make one