Written by Cynical Sister | 11 August 2010

As I am reading my morning paper my eyes pause over the title “ACLU want illegal fees refunded to students.”  Ok.  They have my attention.  I will read.  I am less than a paragraph in when my blood starts to heat up…two more paragraphs and now I’m straight pissed off.  Essentially the ACLU wants the San Diego schools to “refund a host of school fees, ranging from $3 to $1,097, that it says are unconstitutional .”  For those of you who haven’t read the constitution lately, public schools are guaranteed to be free.

So, let’s take a look at some of these school fees that the ACLU is talking about:

• Band fees to cover costs of instruments, uniforms, festival entry and coaching
• Cheerleading fees for uniforms
• One high school is asking for $3 in class dues for “class activities”
• Varsity sports fees

These were the major fees listed by the ACLU in the article.  But, of the 4 mentioned, only one really has anything to do with the actual classroom, and it’s only $3.  The other 3 are completely extracurricular activities.  And last time I checked, the constitution does not guarantee art, football, cheerleading, or any of those sports at public schools.  Those are things that WE added to schools to help kids become well rounded individuals, to allow them safe and fun outlets.  Sure, we can make the argument that they’ll help kids be more focused in the classroom, but at the end of the day, they are not a part of core curriculum (this coming from an avid sports fan).

But let’s be honest, people, NOTHING is free.  For years and years, schools have asked for financial assistance, even if it was simply hidden behind the guise of the back-to-school list. Reflect back to when you were a tadpole and heading out to the first day of school with your metal Star Wars lunchbox and brand new Smurf backpack.  Remember the items you brought to class day one:  Big chief writing pad, pencils, tissues, ruler, scissors, glue, crayons, colored pencils, etc.   If there was a field trip during the year, parents would have to pay extra or the student would have to fundraise.  Our parents recognized that they had to put out an investment for us to learn.  They didn’t complain.  Why should we expect it to be any different, especially right now when the nation is broke?

I willingly go out and buy my kids all their supplies every year, take part in the fund raisers and donate when I can.  And, before you people start bitching and moaning that some families can’t afford these extras, well guess what?  Most schools provide scholarships and fundraisers so those kids who can’t pay the price can stay on the team.  There are lots of companies that do back to school collections to donate to schools for those kids who can’t afford to buy supplies.   And quite frankly if your kid can’t help fundraise then maybe they shouldn’t be a part of the team.  But let’s not forget, the reason why we send our kids to school is to educate them, NOT to teach them music and sports.  I want sports in school.  I want art and music made available to all kids.  HOWEVER, I know that it is NOT required.    If we want those EXTRAS there, then we have to pay to play.

Hell, teachers across the state of California are taking pay cuts and many are getting laid off because of budget cuts… and the ACLU has the audacity to complain about the cost of sports fees?  Are you fucking kidding me?  Pick the correct fight, you morons!  Aren’t there bigger issues out there to focus on than $3 classroom activity fees?

If the ACLU wins this one, which I hope they don’t, then these non academic extras are just going to disappear from public schools completely.  SHAME on the ACLU and the parents that are complaining about these fees.   You should be happy that your kids even get a free education.  Try going to Mexico where you have to pay to go to high school.  I hope the ACLU is ready to have all teen sports and the arts privatized, because that is exactly what this sort of action will cause.  Of course, at that point, they will then complain that not all students are being given the opportunity to play sports and learn music.  What a bunch of idiots.