State Says Schools Can't Charge for Field Trips

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State Says Schools Can't Charge for Field Trips

By Becky Ogann

BURLINGTON (AP) - School districts are being informed by state education officials that they are not allowed to charge additional fees for student activites and field trips that take place during the school day.

For years, parents around Iowa have been asked to provide money for such activities.

But the Iowa Department of Education says in an order this month to school districts around the state that the practice is not allowed under Iowa law.

The declaratory order came after the Ames School District in February asked the state for clarification regarding the legality of 17 various fees charged by the district.

Officials noted that parent-teacher organizations and other groups can raise money to contribute to school activities.
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Sunday, Oct 19 at 9:31 PM JOEY ABREU FROM NWJH wrote ...

The highlight of my 7th grade year was our annual ski trip to Sundown Mountain. Now after this law was passed, that will not happen for the eight graders and the seventh graders who haven't gone at all. I hope that you take into consideration that if you have kids in school too long, they will never now what they are good at that schools don't teach. My parents would have never thought to take me to a ski resort and when my school took me, i had the time of my life.

Sunday, Oct 19 at 8:47 PM NO wrote ...

Are you kidding me? ARE YOU KIDDING ME! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. This law is absurd and should be reversed immediately.

Sunday, Oct 19 at 7:25 PM angry student wrote ...

I can't believe we can't go on the ski trip or go to Adventureland. First of all, the school pays for those who can't pay for the trip. These trips in junior high, we wish to go to so badly, and most of us can spare 40 bucks just by ourselves alone. These are the memories we cherish until we grow old, and it's unfair for the government to say it's illegal to pay a school to give us an opportunity to have fun for once.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 4:39 PM So wrote ...

I learned a nobel prize winning thing the other day and that is that buses do not have to have seat belts. hahahahah. So Physics must not apply on busses right. Why is this??? Planes have them, trains do, cars, trucks, just about everything else does. so why not busses???? sure like to know.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 4:18 PM My Opinion wrote ...

To 1:38 PM mom of 5....I agree. We sure do ship our kids all over for sports. I don't like them on a bus for long rides without a seat belt and in winter weather. Field trips do not have to be far away or expensive.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 3:40 PM Hey wake up wrote ...

No field trips allowed and that goes for the sports team. If they allow the sports team to do field trips and not allow the other students EQ should be notified and the superentendant of that school sued and the school sustem for inequality. One party is not better than any other party when tax payer funds are used. these are tax payer dollars i take it. do not discrinmant or you will face the fury of the tax payer.........

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 1:38 PM mom of 5 wrote ...

I believe this will keep field trips closer to home. We should not need to send our kids all the way to Chicago to a museum. Aren't there any in Iowa? We ship our sports kids all over the state for games without a second thought and we don't pay extra for that.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 1:24 PM My Opinion wrote ...

I feel schools have a way of nickel and diming you at times. Our school charges for "towel service." When I was in school we brought our own towel to school and took it back home for mom to wash. Why can't we still do that?

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 1:20 PM pak wrote ...

Why did they all get away with it for so long? Then there are materials fees, activities fees, etc. It is poor management. Our parents didn't have to pay all of this for us.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 12:53 PM Rob wrote ...

A lot of people are missing the point. The state determined it was illegal for schools to charge for field trips that took place during the normal school day because the constitution povides for a FREE public education. They were probobly trying to save themselves for future lawsuits.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 11:54 AM Cut some Athletics wrote ...

I would rather see athletics cut somewhat other than an educational field trips. I think to much is placed on athletics compared to academics!

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 5:44 AM DS wrote ...

I think the kids need field trips but I also think the schools should be up front with what the fees are for I had four kids in school and we paid for a towel fee that they never used any towels!The PTA's are a good place to get support for the educational trips

Monday, Oct 6 at 10:16 PM Anonymous wrote ...

a lot of schools go on extra trips that arnt for the educational purpose. Hello people u expect the schools to pay for your childs ski trip. Come on you chose to have kids there are some fees.

Monday, Oct 6 at 10:04 PM a teacher wrote ...

Appropriate field trips can be valuable learning extensions. I am in favor of ending the end of the year "just for fun" field trips, but taking children to see the fire station, museums, a farm ,etc. are good learning activities! Unfortunately, schools are strapped for money as well and most will opt to end field trips rather than come up with the money. Hopefully some parent support organizations that work to raise money for extra's at schools will help make some field trips possible.

Monday, Oct 6 at 7:01 PM Broke Mommy wrote ...

I am a single mother to a five year old. I work everyday but barely make enough to keep a roof over our heads (literally). I love this! I have always made sure that my daughter does not miss out any field trips and have had to struggle to be able to pay for some of them (my job does not allow O.T). Now..for band, etc?

Monday, Oct 6 at 6:26 PM 17 wrote ...

If its against Iowa law, how about some refunds?? I have shelled out all sorts of money over the years for this sort of thing. I want my money back.... Could this be the start of a class action law suit??

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:59 PM Anonymous wrote ...

We already support schools with our tax dollars and pay some generic " fee" at the beginning of the school year- on top of athletic fees, band fees, and lunch fees. So do I think the schools bring in enough to pay for a field trip? Yes. Do all parents make money to shell out? No. So having the school pay is equitable. Any child not being allowed to participate without a " donation" is now in violation of the law. Contact your school district Superintendent.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I have three children. Last year, we spent over $325 on field trip fees. Two of the field trips were more than $50 each! I am glad the state is cracking down on this. I'd rather take my $325 and take my children out on a weekend than on a field trip where more than half the day is spent on a bus.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:27 PM My opinion wrote ...

We HAVE to get rid of expenses that we can not afford, if we can't afford field trips, we can't do them. Everyone has to tighten their belts to get through this. We take too much for granted, expect government to do everything for us, government should only do for us what we can't do for ourselves...defense, roads, infrastructure, etc. Stop whining and take control of our country and our lives.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:25 PM My Advice wrote ...

Guess maybe parents will have to be responsible to take their kids on outings rather than the school......imagine parents and kids spending more time together, it will be a good thing.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:03 PM Mia from Waverly wrote ...

Our elementary principal informed us that we can "donate" money to pay for field trips otherwise our kids won't get to go anywhere. I would rather "donate" than have my kid not go.

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:58 PM Mathman wrote ...

It sounds like the previous commenters feel that field trips do not have any educational benefit. I agree that field trips that are not related to the curriculum have no place taking part, but many school field trips expand on what is taught in the classroom.

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:36 PM anon wrote ...

i don't think it's unreasonable for parents to pay for field trips. i just went on a field trip with my son's preschool class that cost less than $10. it was a wonderful learning experience for the children. i would never take that away from him! you cannot put a price on that.

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:32 PM Chad wrote ...

I'm going to have to disagree. I am 32 now, but I can remember a majority of the field trips that my grade schools went to. Sitting in class 100 percent of the time, teaches nothing of what the 'real world' is like. My schools visited many industries that got my friends and I as well as other classmates interested in the very things they are doing today. Our school systems fail because they don't have the money. As a parent, I would be happy to pay my kids share of a class field trip.

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What is wrong with a parent contributing a couple of bucks for a field trip? Didn't all of you enjoy field trips when you were younger?

Monday, Oct 6 at 12:19 PM Poor People wrote ...

If that is the case, many schools just will get rid of class trips all together, which is not right.

Monday, Oct 6 at 11:31 AM aww wrote ...

They might have to sit in school and learn something.

Monday, Oct 6 at 11:11 AM My Advice wrote ...

Cancel field trips, we pay a lot of money to teach kids, keep them in the school buildings, don't haul them around, saves fuel and bus driver costs, everyone has got to do everything they can to save money. This country has MAJOR problems and we need to cut out everything that is not absolutely necessary. Good teachers, good schools will = good students and a better future for all of us.

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