The Montgomery County School Board shall assess and collect only such fees as authorized by applicable law and the Virginia Board of Education.
The division superintendent
is expected to protect the taxpayers of Montgomery County by making every
effort to collect all bills due the school division. Although its intention is not to jeopardize the educational
opportunities of students because of the oversight or financial inability of
parents, the School Board believes there are important educational values to be
learned concerning the payment of obligations.
Therefore, the division superintendent will take every fair and
reasonable action to ensure the receipt of payment for fines, fees, damages and
services.
After exhausting other approaches to the delinquent accounts of adults, the division superintendent is authorized to retain the services of the School Board’s legal counsel in the effort to secure collections, advising School Board members of this action as is appropriate under the circumstances. However, no lawsuit shall be filed without the approval of the School Board in a regular or special meeting.
All students shall be required to pay for damages to or loss of textbooks, library books and division materials and will be required to pay fees as assessed by the School Board except in cases of documented hardship. Hardship cases will be required to furnish conditions in writing before fines and fees will be waived. No pupil’s scholastic report card or diploma shall be withheld because of nonpayment of any fee or charge.
Significant Amounts
The division superintendent shall be authorized to utilize the following procedures for the collection of significant amounts: 1) letters to parents and/or guardians requesting payment; 2) contact with the employer of a parent and/or guardian; 3) preliminary action through the School Board’s legal counsel; or 4) institute lawsuit, upon approval by School Board.
LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia,
1950, as amended, §§ 8.01-43, 22.1-6, 22.1-70, 22.1-78, 22.1-79(3), 22.1-251,
2.1-253; Virginia Board of Education Rules Governing Fees and Charges, 8
VAC 20-370-10.