STUDENT FEE WAIVER AND REDUCTION PROCEDURES
The Decorah Community School District recognizes that while certain fees charged students are appropriate and authorized, certain students and their families are not financially able to pay the fees. The District will grant either full, partial, or temporary waivers depending upon the circumstances and the student's or student’s parents’ ability to meet the financial criteria.
- Waivers –
- Full Waivers – a student will be granted a full waiver of fees charged by the District if the student or student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for free meals under the Child Nutrition program, Family Investment Program, or transportation assistance under open enrollment. Students in foster care are also eligible for full waivers.
- Partial Waivers – a student will be granted a partial waiver of fees charged by the District if the student or the student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for reduced price meals offered under the Child Nutrition program. A partial waiver shall be based on the same percentage as the reduced price meals.
- Temporary Waivers – a student may be eligible for a temporary waiver of fees charged by the District in the event the student's parents are facing a temporary financial difficulty. Temporary waivers may be applied for at any time throughout the school year and shall not extend beyond the end of the school year.
- Application – Parents or students eligible for a fee waiver shall make an application on the form provided by the District. Applications may be made at any time but must be renewed annually.
- Confidentiality – The District will treat the application and application process as any other student record, and student confidentiality and access provisions will be followed.
- Appeals – Denials of a waiver may be appealed under the Student Complaint Procedure of Board Policy. If the decision of the Board on review is to deny the application, the applicant may appeal to the Director of the Iowa Department of Education by filing a notarized statement within 30 days of the applicant’s receipt of the final decision.
- Fines - Fines or charges assessed for damage or loss to school property are not fees and will not be waived.
- Notice – the District will annually notify parents and students of the waiver. The following information will be included in registration materials:
STUDENT FEE WAIVER AND REDUCTION PROCEDURES
Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced price lunch, the Family Investment Plan (FIP), transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived. Students whose families are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees. Parents or students who believe they may qualify for a full, partial or temporary waiver should contact the principal at registration time for a waiver form. This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually.
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
Date of Revision: March 10, 2008
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