Flemington-Raritan Board of Ed Approves Student Activity Fee
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My daughters are no longer students in the Flemington/Raritan School District. But during the days they attended, I served on the District Advisory and I was led to believe that NJ public schools could not ask a student to pay for anything, not even a crayon. I understood that was mandated by the state. Perhaps the loophole here is that infamous one Hunterdon Central used to impose random drug testing, namely targeting extra curricular activities. On July 27 when we are vacationing, just as Central did when its Board of Ed voted to impose drug testing on students who participated in extra curricular activities, ** the F/R Board of Ed approved a pilot program assessing a Student Activity Fee of $50 not to exceed $100 per family. (I am beginning to think that our students who participate in extra curricular activities are victims of our culture wars.) "The plan will require students who wish to participate in any club, sport or activity to pay an annual fee of $50 per child or $100 max. per family. Students who pay this fee are permitted to participate in one or more programs during the school year." ("Flemington- Raritan Schools approve Student Activity Fee", Walter O'Brien, August 5, 2009, www.InJersey.com) Given our high property taxes, most of which supports our schools, why do we need this additional fee beyond our taxes which are quite generous? ** I attempted to listen the Board discussion as noted in the article but was unsuccessful. It was not clear enough. Perhaps you will have better luck than I.