School fees could be on the rise for secondary courses

KAMLOOPS – Parents may have to start paying more for their children’s special or technical interests at the secondary school level.

Assistant Supt. Alison Sidow will outline the fee schedule for secondary schools at the board of education meeting Monday, May 11.

In a report to the board Sidow says the fees are necessary for a number of reasons, including inflation and changes in project choices. She gives the example of NorKam Secondary School’s International Baccalaureate Academy increasing existing fees by $50 due to the price of postage, exam costs and the weak Canadian dollar.

Art classes could see an average increase of $20 to cover the costs of paper, supplies and specialty items for the higher grades and foods classes could see fee increases of $25 to $45 due to the rising price of food.

In the same document, Sidow outlines the fees paid by students for the new trades and technology program at NorKam Secondary School. Operated through Thompson Rivers University, students will pay at least $1,000 to $2,000 for courses ranging from professional cooking to welding and carpentry.

The proposed fee schedule allows schools to charge for secondary activities, project materials, or goods and services relating to the curriculum. Even with fees in place it promises to maintain equitable access to courses with the financial hardship provision each school has in place.

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