Student Fee and School Supplies Policy

In accordance with the Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish Student Fees guidelines, this policy provides guidelines regarding the assessment, collection, and use of fees for curricular and co-curricular activities, as well as the procedure for requesting school supplies. Young Audiences Charter Schools may impose certain student fees or charges to help offset special costs incurred in the operation of specific classrooms or subjects. However, no student shall be deprived of proper instruction should the student not be able to pay any student fees.

Authorized Fee Schedule

The following table contains all possible fees that YACS charges based on grade level and campus. Please note that the maximum fee value is typically not what is charged to families, and is only used as a reference for the maximum price a fee could be. Please reference your desired campus and grade level budget sheet for exact costs.

* These fees are not eligible for a fee waiver reduction.

These fees are authorized and collected in accordance with La. R.S. 17:177, 17:178, and LDE Guidance on Student Fees (August 2017). This policy does not cover fees for before or after-care, items purchased through third-party vendors, or fees associated with extracurricular activities not directly supervised by school staff.

Payment of Fees

Young Audiences Charter School uses SchoolCashOnline to collect school fees. Fees must be paid before or at the beginning of the activity, unless prior arrangements have been made. Fees should be paid using SchoolCash Online (yacs.schoolcashonline.com). The SchoolCash system accepts electronic payments in the form of debit, credit, and electronic checks.

Payment Steps

Step 1: If you do not have a SchoolCash account, navigate to the provided SchoolCash site and click the ‘Register’ option. You will be redirected to the User Registration page where you will fill out the User Registration form.

• Note: Your password must contain at least 8 characters: one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. A red ‘X’ indicates an error with the information entered.

Step 2: When you are finished registering, press "continue" and check your inbox for a confirmation link from [email protected]. When you click on the link, a new tab should open confirming that your registration was successful.

Step 3: Sign in to the SchoolCash portal with your credentials, and navigate to the relevant campus and item to proceed with payment.

Receipts will be provided to the student, parent, or guardian. Payments should be made directly to Young Audiences Charter Schools.

Fee Waivers and Payment Plans

Families experiencing financial hardship may request a fee waiver for a 50% reduction in annual fees or a 50/50 payment plan. This does not include fees associated with Before or After-care, class trips, class items, items purchased through third-party vendors, and fees associated with extracurricular activities. These include items like planners, IDs, shirts, etc.

50/50 Payment Plan: Under this plan, 50% of the total annual fees are due at the start of the school year, and the remaining 50% is due at the start of the second quarter. Please note that the 50/50 payment plan is only available for the annual class fees for each campus, which includes the art, technology, and communication fees.

Waiver Eligibility: Families may qualify for a waiver for a 50% reduction in annual fees only if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Receiving unemployment benefits or public assistance (e.g., TANF, SNAP, SSI, Medicaid)
• Workers' compensation beneficiaries
• Foster families
• Homeless families
• Families with parents or guardians in active military service (or who have recently served)
• Emancipated minors

To request a delayed payment, a 50/50 payment plan, or a fee waiver, parents or guardians must submit a waiver request form to Student Services before the activity or year begins. Student Services can be contacted at the following email addresses:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Waiver request forms are available from the school counselor/social worker, and the online request form can be accessed from this link. If a request is denied at the school level, an appeal can be made to the CEO within seven (7) school days. The CEO will respond to the appeal within seven (7) school days. 

Confidentiality

All records related to fee reductions, payment plans, or waivers due to financial hardship will remain confidential and not be made public. These records may be audited for compliance but will not be disclosed publicly.

Non-payment of Fees

Failure to pay required fees will not result in the withholding of a student's educational records.

Every student shall be accountable for unpaid fees or debts owed to the school for such things as, but not limited to: lost textbooks, library books, unpaid lunch money, school pictures, locker fees, student I.D. fees, fundraiser money/products not returned, etc., by denying participation in non-academic activities, including graduation ceremonies.

Principals shall be encouraged to contact parents for cooperation in clearing debts. Should attempts to clear any debt through parental contact not be successful, the school shall notify the School Board attorney, who shall be authorized to take any further appropriate steps to secure payment, including legal action against an adult student or the parent/legal guardian of a minor student.

DAMAGE TO TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Young Audiences Charter Schools may hold parents and/or legal guardians responsible for compensating the school district for textbooks, technology, or instructional materials that are lost, destroyed, unnecessarily damaged, or not returned to the appropriate school at the end of the school year or when their child withdraws. A school-age student shall not, under any circumstances, be held financially responsible for textbook replacement fees.

Compensation from a parent or guardian may be made through payment of a fee or through approved school or community service activities, as determined by the Principal. Any monetary charge shall not exceed the replacement cost of the textbook, technology, or instructional material. At the school’s discretion, the amount may be adjusted based on the physical condition of the lost or destroyed item. YACS may reduce or waive the required payment for learners from low-income families and may offer payment arrangements instead of requiring one lump-sum payment.

As an alternative to payment, YACS and the parent or guardian may agree to allow the learner to complete school or community service activities. These activities must not interfere with instructional time, must be appropriately supervised by school staff, and must be suitable for the learner’s age.

YACS shall not deny a parent or guardian the right to review relevant grades or records concerning their child. YACS shall also not delay or refuse the transfer of records for a child who withdraws or transfers, in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Failure to compensate the school district for lost or damaged textbooks, materials, or other unpaid fees or charges shall not prevent a learner from receiving promotional opportunities. Learners shall not be denied continued enrollment during any grading period or re-entry in future school years because of lost or damaged materials or outstanding fees or charges. However, outstanding fees or charges may prevent a learner from participating in non-academic activities, including graduation ceremonies.

Learners shall not be denied access to a textbook during school hours. Each year, the school system shall inform parents and/or legal guardians of its locally adopted procedures for the reasonable and proper care and control of textbooks, consistent with applicable state laws and regulations.

School Supplies

School supplies requested by the classroom teachers of a student’s parent or legal guardian shall not exceed $45.00 (excluding calculator purchases). Each school principal shall approve all school supplies requested by the classroom teachers. Before assessing a fee for school supplies or developing a school supply list, consideration shall be given to existing school supply inventory. A student shall not be denied the opportunity to participate in a classroom activity due to his inability to provide requested supplies.