Dues
system proposed at high school
Tuesday, September 28, 2004 • By LINDA
LISANTI • The Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG -- For students who don't want to fund
raise but still want to attend class activities,
Phillipsburg High School is offering another option this
year.
The school is now in the midst of implementing a class
dues system under which students pay $15 a year that will go
toward offsetting the cost of various class activities.
These activities include Senior Fun Day and Class Day,
the Senior Banquet, proms and reunions.
Director of Secondary Education George Chando said it is
costing students more out of pocket each year for these
types of activities because it's getting increasingly
difficult to raise the money.
Although it's the responsibility of all students to fund
raise, only a handful of the same ones do so.
With the new system, students now have the option of
paying the annual $15 fee or raising that amount during
class-sponsored fund-raisers, Chando said.
By raising money through class dues, the number of
fund-raisers should be reduced, he added.
If a student chooses not to contribute, he or she will
not be able to take advantage of the reduced costs for the
activities.
Chando said the new dues system will also allow class
officers to plan activities well in advance and publicize
the prices earlier.
It will be left up to the class officers and class
advisers to keep track of the student contributions. They
will also decide how the money is spent, with the approval
of the school administration.
Phillipsburg officials surveyed other school districts
in the area and found several have some type of class dues,
Chando said.
Last month, the high school sent a letter to students'
homes informing them of the change and encouraging them to
participate.
Chando said it's too soon yet to say how many are doing
so.
School board member Frank Kish said when you look at the
dues broken down as less than $2 a month, it's
worthwhile.
"We're not talking about $100 a student here," Kish
said.
Reporter Linda Lisanti can be reached at 610-258-7171 or
by e-mail at llisanti@express-times.com.
Copyright 2004
The Express-Times. Used with permission.
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