Galesburg School District 205 is reminding parents that there are no fees to enroll students in school next fall.
The District 205 School Board made a commitment to eliminate any barrier between students and receiving an education.
Board member Tianna Cervantez said that it’s not just registration and activity fees that were eliminated but also the need for parents to buy their student’s school supplies.
“There are no activities fees, there are no school supplies fees because we provide them. You’ll go to Target, you’ll go to whatever stores in the community and they’re going to have school supplies lists and you’re not going to see one for District 205. That’s not because teachers didn’t submit them, it’s because we provide them.”
The only fees that parents have to pay for is a $25 annual student parking fee at the high school for students who choose to drive to school and the behind-the-wheel portion of Drivers Education.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operation Jennifer Hamm told the school board Monday that Galesburg is one of, if not the only, school district in the state that is completely free to attend.
“We are the only school district that I can find anywhere in Illinois, and if there are other ones they should also get some accolades, but there are zero fees to register, to attend, that they’re providing all school supplies for students, they’re able to participate in sports for free.”
Superintendent Dr. John Asplund and Hamm also highlighted at Monday’s meeting that District 205 has managed to see fund balance increases since making the move.
Two years ago, the district ditched all registration and participation fees and last year the district applied for a district-wide Community Eligibility Status for the federal breakfast and lunch program, which now provides free breakfast and lunch for all students.
