Why I will vote ‘NO’ on Policy JQ; Regarding Student Fees in Denver Public Schools

Over the last few months I have had the opportunity to connect with families from various parts of Denver Public Schools on how expensive PUBLIC education is. I have had parents tell me that they are spending anywhere from $500.00 to $1,000.00 per child after school supplies, school fees, etc.

The current policy was given to the Board of Education in June of 2021, however I took a leave of absence in June, our district staff and School Board are on vacation during the month of July, and as I was glancing over our consent agenda I came across the approval of Board Policy JQ; Regarding Student Fees in Denver Public Schools.

Board Policy JQ; Regarding Student Fees in Denver Public Schools: “However, the district may require students to pay textbook fees, fees for expendable materials and other miscellaneous fees as more fully set forth in this policy.”

Here are a few of the fees that I am opposed to that can limit opportunities for our students.

• Student Testing: ($150-$300)
• Advanced Placement Textbooks/Expendable Text including Workbooks* (Actual, ranges $8 — $200)
• Athletic Fees ($10 — $90)
• Tuition for Early Childhood Education 2018–19 school year: ECE 3 & 4 year olds full day $874/mo · ECE 3 & 4 year olds half day $437/mo

I have only voted ‘NO’ twice since being elected to the Denver School Board. I do not take this vote lightly, therefore I am proposing an amendment to the policy.

Anderson Amendment to Policy JQ regarding School Fees:

The Board directs the Superintendent to create a strategic plan that will reduce ALL student fees over the next four school years by 50% to alleviate the burden to families in Denver Public Schools while creating a new fee schedule that is affordable to all families regardless of income.

This fee reduction shall be implemented in the second semester of the 2021–2022 school year.

If this amendment fails to pass, I will proceed to vote ‘NO’ on the policy as written for a plethora of reasons.

• Our families are being asked to supply the majority of their school supplies out of pocket, adding additional fees would be an extra burden our families can’t lift.
• Families should not be responsible if a child doesn’t pass a college level course, especially in cases where the school is designed as an Early College where majority of classes are college level classes.
• The waiver system is authorized by school principals and we are failing to acknowledge how we address potential relationship fractures amongst families and school leadership.
• Fees for extracurricular activities for sports have created systems where low income students are not able to participate due to financial restrictions.
• Each school leader is able to pick and choose the fees that apply to their school.

I understand my concerns were brought during the week of the proposed vote, however I can not in good faith vote to approve this policy as written due to the negative impacts on families in the Denver Public Schools.

Director Tay Anderson