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Show Free Public Education Urged By Councils A primary issue developed by neighborhood councils throughout the State of Utah is the problem of "free public education'' or the fact that students are charged fees to attend public schools. Bill director of the Biggs, Community Action Program in Salt Lake City, recently outlined the fifteen issues which would be brought before the Utah State Legislature by the Utah Association of Neighborhood Councils. "Free public education'' is one of great concern to many people. The Utah State Board of Education has been urged to seek legislative measures that would abolish fees in high schools and provde schools additional funds for low income students "to get at the problem of providing equal educational opportunties." The urging came from Biggs, and a delegation representing Head Start and Title programs I and the Association of Neighborhood Councils. In a letter from Walter D. Talbot, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, to all school district superintendents, he states, "The matter of charging fees in the public schools has again been challenged; this time by several people, including a stated that " . . a levy for such purposes generally on all students whether they participate in extracurricular activities or not, becomes a charge on attendance at the school. Thus, Talbot says, any uniform assessment for extracurricular activities at the elementary level would not be legal. Districts are further asked to insure no student is denied his or her right to participation in a full program at no charge, he continued. While Talbot advised schools could charge for items, materials and supplies consumed and possessed by the student on the secondary level, schools should avoid making a profit on any such item, yet he allowed that they could charge the costs of handling such materials. He ended the letter saying, "The general concept is that the public schools are free and no charge should be made which will exclude any student from full participation in an education which is his right." In interviewing many students from low-incom- e homes and minority students, it was determined that charges for shop not to mention the cost of General's staff, who have children in the schools and who have recently been notified of fees for the coming year. They have questioned not only the legality but also the morality of certain fees and I am quite certain the issue will be tested if we now do not implement into practice the concepts contained in earlier opinions and interpretations arrangement, creating rendered by the Attorney General and this office. Perhaps the matter should be tested in the courts so that it may be clarified; on the other hand until it is tested each school district should have a policy reflecting earlier opinions on the law. "As you well know this matter has been before us several times. To avoid problems of refunds mid-yea- r no enforcement of the latest opinion was required when it was issued in October, 1970. Subsequent discussions in meetings with ustheto superintendents permitted arrive at the conclusion that we would not make an issue of the matter of fees until such time as the subject was again before us. It would appear that that time is now." He quoted a court case (Paulson v. Minidoka County School District No. 331 , 93 Idaho 469, 463 p. 2 d 935, 1970) which children between the ages of six and eighteen years who are residents of said district except that such school shall also be free to persons who have not completed high school up to and including the age of twenty-on- e years." maintains that the Biggs statutes allowing high schools to charge class fees contradicts these constitutional provisions which state that the public schools will be free. He said students from low all income families need more services such as extra counseling, tutorial help and remedial programs if they were to have opportunities equal to those of more affluent students. The State Board of Education has promised to study the matter and make a statement at a later date. Need High Redwood Health School use, homemaking classes, activity cards, textbooks and materials, extracurricular activities, often forces a student to drop-ouRealizing his family cannot afford the charges and fees, he or she is too embarrassed to ask school administration for special consideration. One group of concerned parents are working to establish a program whereby the students unable to afford the school fees could work in the school as an alternative. This would eliminate "hand-out- " type member of the Attorney shall be free to Clinic Open For You! Credit? t. embarrassment for the student. Average fees in Salt Lake City junior high and senior high schools run from $35.00 per year to $70.00 per year, students said. These fees are due at the start of the school year and do not include the cost of participating in any extracurricular activities during the year. The State Constitution, 2, reads, "The public school system shall include kindergarten schools, common schools, consisting of primary Section Do you need an English credit? A P. E. credit? Any credit? Horace Mann Community School offers High School Credit toward graduation in just about everyhting, and for adults who want to finish or refresh, high school credit is available, also. hours of Thirty-siparticipation equal one semester in credit! Now is the time to get your diploma. Now is the time to pick up that class you need to x All classes are at night and open to the public for learning and enjoyment. Imagine - full credit for shooting basketballs, for writing poetry, for auto mechanics, for learning to play the guitar and more! -- Some popular new classes Cooking with low cost foods Soul food cooking. Creative writing. schools, an agricultural college; a university and such other schools as the Legislature may establish. The common schools shall be free. The other departments of the system shall be supported as Spanish dance. Photography. Everyone welcome to this free clinic for any of the following services: Groups are also forming in weight reducation and children's behavior problems. If interested, call 487-545- Physical Exams 6. Physician on duty Cancer Screening Laboratory Tests Immunizations Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. Appointments are seen first. Nurse on duty daily from care Sick Baby Care Well Baby Exams 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Pre-nat- al No appointment needed. Let the Redwood Clinic help your family to health! Family Planning Citizenship Need Free Tutoring? help you with Basic Skills and English as a e Second Language on a basis. We can one-to-on- For more information call: Dorothy Gurule or Mike Romero Guadalupe Center 346 West First South 364-425- 0 - know your rights. All classes can be given provided by law." high school credit toward graduation when participants The State guidelines for Boards of Education, reads, "Schools to be free - In each district the public schools attend for 36 hours. Classe are fun and FREE. or sign up Call 359-852- 2 today for fun and even CREDIT! 7, 6 graduate. and grammar grades; high 53-4-- 2610 South Redwood Road 487-545- Quiere aprendir hablar el Englis, llame a este numero por mas informacion: Dorothy Gurule or Mike Romero Guadalupe Center 346 West First South 364-425- 0 |
