'Sticker Shock' With LTHS Classes?

LA GRANGE, IL – Sometimes Lyons Township High School parents are surprised by the fees associated with classes, officials said this week.

At a school board meeting, Scott Eggerding, the school's curriculum director, said he was compiling the fees for all courses. He said he would share that information with the board and the public.

He said woodworking was an example of a course with high fees.

"Building material prices went up," he said. "Sometimes kids don't want to use poplar. They want to use red oak. That costs significantly more. We want to be more transparent with those (costs) when it's not uncommon for kids to spend $300 for just the materials for a course."

He said the most expensive class is driver's education, but the school's program remains far cheaper than private driving schools.

"We try to provide as much value as possible," Eggerding said.

Board member Jill Beda Daniels said when her son took woodworking, it was pricey. She said she wanted to get the word out about fees ahead of time. Doing so, she said, could avoid "sticker shock."

Eggerding said it was hard to nail down costs for dual-credit classes because colleges often change them during the summer.

Members suggested the school provide ranges in costs.

Students who receive free or reduced-price lunches receive fee waivers.