Board approves incremental student and family fee increases and discontinues after-school bus service

The Tomorrow River School District Board approved an updated student-and-family fee structure that raises several activity and program fees incrementally and removes district buses from the after-school program.

Staff member explained the changes were intended to be modest — for example, the after-school program fee would increase from $50 to $75 per semester — and that the district would retain a family maximum to limit overall cost exposure. "We ran some scenarios," Staff member said, adding the goal was that student parking and program fees cover maintenance and program costs.

On transportation, Staff member said the district would discontinue buses for the after-school program because the cost of running the bus was unsustainable relative to participation levels. "It was not a sustainable model," Staff member said, and the board discussed whether discounts for carpooling or other mitigations could be offered.

The fee package also formalized fees for newer activities (dance, cheer, bowling, fishing) and adjusted athletic participation fees at middle- and high-school levels. After discussion about fairness and budget impact, Committee member moved to approve the fee changes and the motion passed on a voice vote.

What happens next: staff will communicate fee changes and any transportation adjustments to families before the next school year and monitor impacts.