The High School District 211 Board of Education approved a $30 increase in the fee for driver’s education Thursday night, hiking the fee for the course in the next school year to $80.
At the request of the district and in response to the high cost of offering driver’s education, the Illinois General Assembly last December agreed to waive the state’s $50 cap on the student fee for the course and gave the district a $350 ceiling price.
“It’s a very modest increase compared to what it could have been,” said board member Mary Wroblewski.
The board opted to charge $80 because it said it reflects the operating cost for each student.
District Supt. Gerald Chapman said the district may continue to charge $50 for driver’s ed classes in summer school.
Students who cannot afford the fee increase may work at the school as an alternative or arrange to pay part of the fee.
The board also approved a $5 increase in student textbook fees, to $50 from the current $45 per year for the next school year. All other fees, including bus transportation and parking costs, remain the same.
