a loaf of bread in foods,” he said. “Do they need to make those to get a grade in that class?”

Kressin wanted to make sure the fees aren’t keeping kids whose family can’t afford the fees from taking classes that cost money.

Stoez explained that the district administration and counseling staff are in tune with students and families with needs, and there is no problem.

“We have resources from positive community members who will take care of fees. It’s a non-issue,” he said.

Stoesz was asked the system by which students and families are approached.

“We do that privately,” he said.

“You’re confident no child is being left out of the class because of the fee?” Kressin asked.

Cain answered, “If you have a student who doesn’t pay the fee, they still get the grade. We work with families,” he said.

“I call all kinds of parents in May. They said, ‘Can I go on a payment plan?’ Not a problem,” said Stoesz.

Kressin feared students may not be registering for classes because of the fees.

“I’m still a little hung up on the equity issue,” he said. “Calculus, they get a big textbook. They don’t have to pay for it.”

Stoesz assured the board there is no hindrance to registration.

“That’s not what we’re seeing,” he said. “If you compare those courses to other courses, we don’t see any students staying away.”

He also said the difference between math and science and these classes is that students keep what they make.

“This is a consumable they take home with them,” he said, though several board members joked that items made in foods classes never make it home.

Board Clerk Susan Beck felt comfortable with how the district handles the situation.

“They are on it. They understand if a student is going through something. The student will be taken care of,” she said.

Cain pointed out that seven of eight Middle Border Conference schools charge similar fees.

Kressin didn’t budge.

“Personally, I think the district can just absorb that cost,” he said.

Board member Katie Feuerhelm agreed.

“I do sort of think that students are singled out if they can’t afford the fee. That is a concern,” she said.

Kressin replied, “I feel strongly about this. I don’t think it’s equitable,” he said.

Board member Kurt Buckner said, “I’ve been on the board 12-plus years. I’ve never heard anyone complain about fees, except at a referendum.” He noted that at those times, the contact was that the district isn’t charging enough for fees for some classes.

Board President Doug Peterson agreed.

“I would probably feel different if we were hearing from parents and children,” he said. “If you don’t get complaints about this, I don’t think people are upset about this.”

“That’s what’s great about a small community. It’s one of the plusses we have. Our administrators are in tune with what the needs of are students are. Nobody gets turned away because they didn’t pay a fee. There’s no shame game here,” Peterson said. “I saw we let this ride. We revisit it down the road if we start getting complaints.”

Voting to keep the fee schedule for these classes in place were Beck, Peterson, Buckner and Steve Marx. Kressin and Feuerhelm voted against.

“We review this on an annual basis. This is a discussion we can have next year,” Peterson said.

Kressin also brought up the possibility of waiving the district’s student parking fee of $25, because students who can drive themselves and family members to school are encouraged to this year, to cut the number of students on district buses.

Cain said there were 180 students who paid the $25 fee last year, and that the fee previously had been $75 annually.

“This is a different time now. That’s why I brought it up. I think we should revisit it,” said Kressin.

The matter was taken under advisement for future consideration.

Photo by John McLoone.