Emmons 1

Counterpoint: School Districts, Faced with Extremely Austere Budgets and High Operating
Costs, Must Increase Fees on Student Programs and Other Activities
Auerbach, Michael P. "Counterpoint: School Districts, Faced With Extremely Austere Budgets
And High Operating Costs, Must Increase Fees On Student Programs And Other
Activities." Points Of View: Fees In Public Schools (2014): 3. Points of View Reference
Center. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.
Synthesis Question: Should public schools charge fees for registration, instruction, classroom
supplies, and/or extracurricular activities due to financial stress?
Abstract
Financial stress is forcing public school districts to increase fees or cut programs and/or
reduce staff. Since 2000 government support for public schools has decreased while costs have
increased. Teacher contracts prohibit pay cuts and mandate salary raises, so school administrators
must keep teachers or fire them. Budget cuts force schools to charge fees for programs or cut
them. Public schools face increasing costs and decreasing government support. Most of the
increasing cost is salary raises mandated by teacher contracts. Pay cuts are prohibited by teacher
contracts, so schools must keep or fire teachers. The price of utilities, maintenance, and
technology has increased while public officials have cut government support for public schools.
Fluctuations in local property values have decreased income from property taxes. Fees allow
schools to keep advanced-level and specialty classes operating. Many families understand these
fees, and a large number of districts provide waivers to students from poor families. With a large
portion of the budget going to teacher salaries, schools would be forced to cut programs without
the help of fees. Fees on unnecessary but enriching programs are a sound, reasonable, and logical
policy.