Mother of three sues Delta, B.C., school board to get student fees reimbursed

VANCOUVER – A mother of three is suing her children’s school board looking for reimbursement for the costs of workbooks, school supplies and activities.

Susan Fetterkind of Delta, B.C., launched the proposed class-action lawsuit on behalf of herself and other parents claiming school fees break provincial laws.

She claims that the B.C. government, which regulates provincial schools under the School Act, requires students to be educated “at no or very little cost.”

Fetterkind calculated at least $220 was “wrongfully” paid between two of her children over the past year for materials like calculus and physics workbooks, and graduation and student activity fees.

Her lawsuit — which would need approval from a judge to become a class-action — calls for an order saying the school board collected fees in violation of provincial laws.

In 2006, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled it was illegal to ask students to pay for activities that are part of their required courses.