State-Journal.com - Out-of-district tuition raised 600 percent

Franklin County Board of Education members hope to generate more revenue from out-of-district students next year by raising the cost of their tuition $1,900, an increase of more than 600 percent.

Since 2000, students who attend school in Franklin County but live elsewhere have paid $300 a year in tuition. In the fall, that cost will jump to $2,200.

This year, 21 students attend Franklin County Public Schools out of district. Superintendent Harrie Buecker said she can’t be sure how many will enroll next year.

If the number stays steady, the district could earn approximately $40,000 more. Board members unanimously approved the change Monday.

District officials anticipate losing more state funding for extended school services, textbooks, school safety and preschools next year. Buecker said they have “ruled everything else out” as possible revenue sources, including raising lunch prices.

“We’re looking wherever we can to find the revenue to shore up some of the areas where we have the greatest need,” she said.

Buecker said the increase will bring Franklin County in line with nearby school systems. Out-of-district students in Frankfort Independent Schools pay $1,700; Bourbon County, $2,000; Jessamine County, $2,322; Woodford County, $3,100; and Fayette County, $4,000.

Students whose parents work for FCPS do not pay tuition.

Board members also accepted personnel actions Monday, which included 25 pink slips for teachers and certified employees, and 15 for classified staff members.

Wayne Dominick, communications coordinator for FCPS, said some of the cuts came from revised staffing allocations approved by the board in March, which eliminated 6.7 certified teaching positions and 2.8 custodial positions.

The move will save the district $300,000 in personnel costs, Buecker said in March.

The staffing allocations – reduced because some schools were overstaffed based on enrollments that were expected to rise, but didn’t – went to school councils for action.

Some of the pink slips were also based on performance, Dominick said.

Employees could be brought back as revenue becomes clearer, he said, most likely to teaching aide positions.

In Kentucky, public school employees must be notified by May 1 if their contracts aren’t being renewed.

19.	Posted by macie22965 June 4, 2009
	ReconMarine you make a very strong point. Being the hub of state government there are quite a number of parents working here from other districts who for various and compelling reason need to have their school age kids nearby.I can guarantee you there are more than 21 students who attend school here from other districts. Many others are just using local addresses and no wonder. This unreasonable decision will create disruption and hardship for many families. What about special needs kids whose families are already struggling to meet their family's needs but will now have to fork over so much more money they simply don't have or make near impossible arrangements to work far away from where their kids are? And bear in mind special needs include students with chronic illnesses, severe allergies among other conditions where a parent's quick trip to the school using a lunch hour can easily resolve an issue and allow the parent to return promptly to work knowing they can get to their child quickly whenever necessary. What about kids who have attended school here for years whose parents moved to another county for compelling reason but still work here? As ReconMarine pointed out there should be no tuition to begin with but now these kids would be forced to separate from classmates and schools they have been attached to throughout their school careers when the parents cannot meet this financial burden. This is a very emotional attachment to sever and for what reason? Do these kids just not matter to the Board? Many of these kids are enthusiastically involved in school activities that require practice and commitment both physically and financially over summer break. They and their parents have just been broadsided with this astronomical increase with fees for the upcoming activities due soon. How will the kids and parents manage this? Just give up maybe? Because to pay and have the kids put their hearts into the effort but then not be able to meet the enormous increase would be cruel. Basically the Board of Education didn't think very clearly and they certainly didn't give any consideration to the kids.

18.	Posted by smartgirl1 June 3, 2009
	pwooldri, you work for the district, don't you? I have seen you post other things from the district. Where is the problem? The expectation that indeed all of those students are willing to pay the increased rate, especially in this economy. A tuition raise may have been in order but somebody clearly wasn't thinking there. If Frankfort Independent lost a lot of those students due to a tuition hike, the assumption would be they went into the county system. Now Frankfort Independent is cheaper. I'd assume that we'll see some go to Frankfort Independent. Fayette County has some great schools. I hear some parents are more than happy to pay the high tuition so their child can attend Dunbar High School. Meanwhile the Franklin County School system seems to be crumbling. They might get a bit more than they got before, from fewer students. Maybe there are even savings because there are less students. But I don't think they'll get the $40,000 they want. Next year around this time we'll see if those numbers really pen out for them.