Los Lunas Schools to eliminate some student fees next year

LOS LUNAS — Los Lunas Schools will be removing several student fees in the 2025-26 school year after taking a closer look at what they are currently charging students and their families and what the budget could cover.

The topic was initially brought to the attention of the LLS Board of Education by board member Justin Talley, who requested it be a work session topic to get more insight on what fees students were currently being charged and what the fees were going toward.

Talley noted he wanted it to be reviewed further because he had concerns about multiple fees he thought were unfair when his son was enrolled in a school in the district.

Acting Superintendent Susan Chavez said at the Aug. 20 board work session the district staff conducted an audit of student charges, fees and fines following his concern and she learned of “some inconsistencies and discrepancies we were not aware of.”

At a Sept. 10 work session, Chavez said there was a committee formed composed of district staff who reviewed the fees, and they identified some areas where fees could be made more consistent or eliminated for the following school year.

The proposed fees Chavez presented to be removed for the 2025-26 school year include a $25 fee for PE uniforms at Los Lunas High School, $15 iPad fees for kindergarten through eighth grade and the $5 science lab fees.

Chavez said in a phone interview that iPads are part of kindergarten through eighth grade student’s instructional materials needed for class to complete activities, and since the 3 mill dedicated to technology passed recently through the district’s special election, the district would be able to cover those fees for the coming school year.

With regard to the district-issued Macbooks for high school students, Chavez said there is a need to communicate the fees more clearly moving forward.

“We looked at it very carefully as to what we are currently charging our students, and it became clear to us, when we were reviewing the information, that we didn’t communicate to the best of our abilities on what actually the fees are going towards,” said Chavez.

Students have the option to buyout the Macbook once they graduate, but Chavez clarified while the communication has always been there for the buyout, “we had called them fees, and so now it’s a buyout. Prior to that, it was part of the lab fee.”

Chavez said the district will also better communicate what the insurance options are for the Macbooks, so it’s clear to students and their families.

Seeking to have consistency between the schools, Chavez said next school year students at Los Lunas High School will not be required to purchase PE uniforms. Instead, they will just need to wear school spirit colors.

The district also evaluated their course fees at the high schools and noticed there were inconsistencies between what they were charging, which Chavez said have been made consistent now.

“Some courses require fees due to the amount of consumables necessary. These fees help ensure our students are able to benefit from high caliber engaging courses,” a slide of the student fees presentation read.

Chavez said they looked into what course fees could be covered through Perkins, one of the career technical education grants, and what other course fees the district could potentially cover through local, state and federal funds.

Next school year, the district will also start to specify what the course fees will go toward in the course description so it’s clear what the money is going toward, she said.

For science lab fees specifically, Chavez said the district would be able to eliminate those $5 fees next school year through some remaining Covid relief funds.

Chavez emphasized if the district can’t afford to cover student fees through local, state and federal funds, then that’s when the fees are assessed for the students.

“We’ll be looking at all our budgets routinely to see if we’re able to support the programs depending year- to-year on what funding is available,” she said. “There will be a clear fee schedule when the new school year comes, and that will be part of the communication plan as we roll this out to families.”

Following Chavez’s presentation, LLS Board of Education President Michelle Osowski thanked her and her team for taking the concerns of the board seriously.

“Thank you for looking into this and addressing it and coming back to us with very reasonable information. I appreciate the team effort,” said Osowski.

Later that evening, during the Sept. 10 special board meeting, all BOE members voted in approval of the proposed student fee eliminations for the 2025-26 school year.

“This has been real helpful and it makes me happy as a parent, and I think the community will also be happy with those changes,” said Talley following the vote.