No school board in Virginia is allowed to impose fees or charges on any student unless authorized by a regulation of the Board of Education or the General Assembly. To guarantee that economically disadvantaged students and those whose families are facing financial difficulties are not burdened by these fees, the policy provides for their reduction or exemption. This includes, but is not limited to, families receiving unemployment benefits, public assistance such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicaid; foster families caring for children in foster care; or homeless families. School divisions must inform students that a fee exemption can be requested and provide instructions on how to do so each time a fee is charged.
School divisions are only allowed to charge fees that have been approved by the local school board. The fee policy and fee schedule should be consistent across the school division, although different rate programs may be imposed at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Additionally, local school boards are not authorized to charge students fees for teaching materials, textbooks, or other materials that are not directly used by a public school student. As a condition for school enrollment, except for students who are not of school age or who do not reside within the jurisdiction, in accordance with Articles 22.1-1 and 22.1-3 of the Virginia Code and as provided in § 22.1-5 of the Code of Virginia; no fees can be charged. The regulations also do not address the operation of school stores or fund-raising activities where transactions are strictly voluntary.
However, local school boards are allowed to make supplies, services or materials available to students at a reasonable price.
