Cost of public schooling on the rise

School is getting closer and parents are starting to feel the pinch of extra high school fees.

Just like how elementary school students buy crayons and glue for the classroom, middle school and high school students shell out money to participate in extra curricular activities and even some elective classes.

“It’s expensive nowadays to be a student,” said Rodger Hampton, Madison High School principal.

Days before students set foot in the classroom, parents and students attend registration. Students get class schedules, assigned lockers, and pay fees. Fees for just about everything — parking passes, yearbooks, even certain elective classes.

“It’s all those consumable items that they keep, they use again, they personally own them and they take them with them when they leave the course,” said Hampton.

Fees vary from class to class. Art supplies might be cheaper than the film students use in photography class, but the required uniform for choir and orchestra could cost a little more.

“Just for the uniforms and the basic fee is $100 total and then for trips and stuff is an extra fee to be able to go,” said Emmeli Sommer, a student.

“The boys pay for tuxedos and then …I’m not quite sure …all I know is that I’m in it and I pay for it,” said Callie Birch, a student. “I like it, so I do it.”

School administrators said parents might remember not having to pay for anything back in the day, but times have changed and the burden has shifted.

“If the local level doesn’t take advantage of raising the taxes in the school district with a bond or levy, then it’s basically a tax shift right to the parent and student,” said Hampton.

Students won’t be denied elective classes because they can’t pay.

Parents can work out a monthly payment plan or students can work at the school to help cover those costs.