Instructional Fee Letter

Instructional Fees

In an effort to cover the cost of basic consumable student supplies, for the 2021-2022 school year the South-Western City School District will collect a $10 instructional fee for each of its students. As a District, we are able to purchase certain supplies and materials at significantly reduced bulk-rate prices, which we pass along to you and your student. This fee stays at your child’s school and reduces the need for you to purchase many of the traditional school supplies your child may need throughout the school year. However, there may be organizational materials you might wish to purchase for your child(ren) such as folders, notebooks/keepers and preferred types of writing utensils, in addition to basic school supplies.

Under Ohio Revised Code 3313.642, “no board of education of a school district shall charge a fee to a pupil who is eligible for a free lunch…for any materials needed…to participate fully in a course of instruction.” A “course of instruction” may be interpreted to mean a course for which academic credit may be earned. If the class is listed on the schedule of fees adopted by the board, it is likely that ORC 3313.642 would apply to the class. Fees cannot be waived for extra-curricular activities or student enrichment programs that are not a “course of instruction.”

As a convenience to South-Western parents, the district offers an online process for the payment of school fees. The step-by-step process for paying your child(ren)’s fees online can be found by clicking here. You must have your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account set up prior to paying any fees online.

Any parent who believes their child qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program should complete an application form. These forms may be obtained from any South-Western City school building or the Food Services Department, 3805 Marlane Drive, Grove City, Ohio 43123.