Dist. 124 Drops Student Fees For 2020-2021 School Year

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — The Evergreen Park School District 124 Board of Education voted to suspend student fees for the 2020-2021 school year at its regular meeting on Wednesday. Families will save an average of $110 per student.

D124 board president Kimberly Leonard said the decision was made to help families cope with the unexpected challenges posed by the COVID=19 pandemic over4 thee past three months.

“We know this is a small contribution to our families, but we also know it is the right thing to do,” Leonard said in a news release. “Whether it helps pay this a month’s rent or mortgage, or allows you to throw a child’s birthday party you may have missed, the board hopes the small savings plays a part in a return to normalcy for you and your family.”

The board will cover student fee expenses for all families, and hopes that community members who have not been financially impacted by the pandemic will pay it forward another way. Residents are encouraged to volunteer during the next year, making a donation to a booster club, or helping teachers by contributing extra supplies for their classroom.

D124’s student fees range in price by grade level and cover expenses related to technology and extracurricular activities. Students in Grades 1-5 were scheduled to pay a fee of $110, while middle school families would have paid $120 per student.