FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FAMILIES
AND CAREGIVERS POLICY
Onewhero Area School Policy Finance and Property (National Administration Guideline 4)
RATIONALE
The Government of New Zealand, through the Ministry of Education provides Operational Funding that each school uses to deliver the curriculum and for day-to-day management. This amount, however, is only enough for the basics.
Activity fees are designed to enhance enterprises that are beyond the normal scope of school operations. The ways in which these fees are directed should add to the quality of life for all students.
Subject fees are charged to recover costs incurred by the school in the delivery of the curriculum. In general they will be used to purchase consumables resulting in a product which will become the property of the student. It is reasonable to expect that students who elect to take a course in which there is a subject fee, contract to meet those costs.
PURPOSES
• To clearly define what a fees are charged within the school and what are covered by the Operations Grant.
• To ensure that all fees are directed to the appropriate area of activity.
GUIDELINES
1. SCHOOL DONATION
• The Board sets an annual school donation as part of its strategic planning;
• The suggested amount will be published in a school newsletter and in the prospectus;
• A receipt will be provided;
• Donations will be on a pro rata basis;
• All families will be invoiced accordingly;
• Although the family contribution is not compulsory all parents/caregivers will be encouraged to support the school and its students in this manner.
2. SUBJECT FEES
• Subject fees will be set the year prior to course delivery.
• All students taking a course with a subject fee will be informed in advance of those costs.
• Procedures will be developed to enable the school to collect all subject fees.
• In cases of genuine financial hardship, inability to pay subject fees should not disqualify any pupil.
• The school should have some recourse in instances where no effort has been made to pay fees.
• Real co-operation between home and school is encouraged.
• Non payment of subject fees does not affect the normal budget of subject teachers.
3. ACTIVITY FEES
• Parents are sent notes or invoices that detail the exact cost of activities their students incur during the year;
• Parents have the opportunity to sign their acceptance of student's participation in each activity, so once this is the case, payment is compulsory;
• The school reserves the right to withdraw students from such activities if payments are not made;
4. SCHOOL CAMP
• Parents are asked to pay the cost of food, overnight accommodation, travel and recreational activities.
• Fundraising pays for the cost of parent helpers, teachers, and assists some students who have financial difficulties.
• Students may be exempted from attendance at camp.
5. STATIONERY
• Students are expected to provide their own stationery at school at their expense.
6. Onewhero Area school does not charge fees for:
• Programmes in English for speakers of other languages;
• Special education programmes (SES);
• Photocopying costs for curriculum;
• Computer or music programmes.
Board of Trustees Chairperson: ________________________ 31/05/2011
Policy reviewed 31 May 2011. Next review date 31 May 2014.
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