FEES

Recognized school fees are as follows:

1. Fees for activities that occur within regular school hours, including field trips, any portion of which falls within school hours;  
2. Fees for activities and supplies required to participate in all courses offered for credit or grades;
3. Fees or tuition for courses taken for credit or grade during summer school;  
4. Fees required for graduation ceremonies; 
5. Fees for a copy of the student's records; and  
6. Refundable deposits for locks or other security devices required for protection of school property when used in conjunction with courses taken for credit or a grade. 

School fees are not: 

1. Fines for overdue library books; 
2. Fines for the abuse of school parking privileges and other school rules developed for the safe and efficient operation of the school; 
3. Charges for lost, damaged, or destroyed textbooks, library books, workbooks, or other school 
   property;  
4. Charges for debts owed the school;  
5. Refundable deposits for locks or other security devices required for protection of school property when used in not-for-credit extracurricular activities; 
6. Tuition for non-resident students. 
7. Cost of admission to extra-curricular activities beyond regular school hours.  
8. Charges for student parking access and the administration of student parking. 

No fee shall be charged of any student as a condition to attend school. However, all students shall be responsible for normal school supplies, such as pencils and paper.

At the beginning of the school year, each principal shall be responsible for providing to all students and their parents or legal guardians written notice of the requested student fees and the process for fee waiver. Any student, regardless of financial status, may request a fee waiver. The Director of Schools will establish a procedure through which a student's parents or legal guardians may request fees be waived.

Persons collecting fees shall be provided a list containing only the names of those students for whom a fee waiver has been submitted or who have fees waived. Waivers may be provided upon request. 

Prior to the beginning of school each year, the Director of Schools, upon the recommendation of the principals, shall approve all student fees for the upcoming school year. Additional fees may be approved during the year as needed. 

FINES

Students who destroy, damage, or lose school property, including but not limited to buildings, school buses, books, equipment, and records, must be responsible for the actual cost of replacing or repairing such materials or equipment. 

The grades, grade cards, diploma or transcript of a student who is responsible for vandalism or theft or who has otherwise incurred a debt to a school may be held until the student or the student's parent/legal guardian has paid for the damages. When the student and parent are unable to pay the debt, the district shall provide a program of voluntary work for the minor. Upon completion of the work, the student's grades, diploma, and/or transcripts shall be released. Such sanctions shall not be imposed if the student is not at fault.

Failure to remit the cost of replacing or repairing such materials or to make satisfactory arrangements with the administration for payment may result in suspension of the student. If payment is not remitted, the matter will be referred to the Board for final disposition. 

Textbooks are available free to students as a loan. Parent(s) must accept full responsibility for the proper care, preservation, return, or replacement of textbooks issued to the student(s). 

The condition of each book and a book number shall be recorded by the teacher issuing it. 

The life of the book is considered to be six (6) years. Charges for lost books will be prorated based on the remaining life of the book. Damage fines will be based on the wear beyond that normally expected for one year. For one year's wear there will be no charge. 

Fines may be assessed for overdue, damaged, or lost library books. In no event shall the fine exceed the 
current cost of replacing the book.

Legal References: 

1. T.C.A. § 49-6-3001(a); T.C.A. § 49-2-110(c). 
2. T.C.A. § 37-10-101 through T.C.A. § 37-10-102. 
3. TRR/MS § 0520-01-02(.16)(2)(b). 
4. T.C.A. § 49-2-114. 

Cross Reference: 

• Knox County Board of Education Policy J-270 “Care of School Property.” 

Approved as to Legal Form 
By Knox County Law Director 1/2/2024 
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director