They want us to pay to take our children out of school!
By c2adams2
@c2adams2 (351)
United States
March 23, 2007 2:36pm CST
Paw Paw Public Schools has introduced a new initiative. They want to start charging parents 36$ a day to take their children out of school for anything not excused by the FMLA. WTF!?!? They say that it is only fair, to pay back the taxpayer money. What money? Does a teacher get paid less when one of their students are not in class? Do the books cost less? Where is the cost?
And since when does a schools rights supercede a parents rights. Schools, by law, opperate in loco parentis, which is: in place of the parents. They are not the parents, nor do they superceed the parents. They only act in the possition of parents while the child isn't there.
So, if you want to take your child out of school three days early to start you vacation you have to pay 118$ per head. Does anyone else find this utterly proposterous?
10 people like this
27 responses
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
24 Mar 07
I believe if you have other parents not familiar with FMLA, you need to do more research. I am an employee with FMLA, you have to be an employee not a student, furthermore, if you have to take time out of work, the company has the right to pay you or not pay you, At my job they pay you. FMLA bascially for people with cronic issues, in my case I have really bad migraines. I can be home to get better and I'm also "excused" from work and it won't count against me as poor absence.
I never heard of such where the parents have to pay because their child is out of school. Have them show you some form of document with that information, I don't think they can do that.
Here is the website for FMLA, to give you a little information to help alone with getting this stopped.
http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/
I read this myself and didn't see any information with schools.
Good Luck to you, however, I don't think a school can force a parent to pay if their child is absent.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Yes, I agree that's unacceptable. I think the idea must be because it costs them so much per child, and the government keeps tabs on how many are in attendance so they set aside funds for that many. If the kids don't show up, the school doesn't get the funds for them, so they're demanding that the parents take up the slack. That's not free public education and it should be illegal. I'd surely make a complaint and take it to court if necessary. Don't let them do this.
2 people like this
@djbtol (5493)
• United States
24 Mar 07
No offense, but it is just another slimy shot at getting money from the parents. There is no justification for it. The public schools get so much money every year for each child that is enrolled. That money is not taken away if your child is not absent. If anything the school should be paying you the money, since they will obviously not be peforming their function on those days.
Homeschoolers are also sensitive to this issue. When a child is home-educated, supposedly the school does not get that chunk of money. On the other hand, the parents of a home-educated child still pay the full amount of taxes. So where does the money go? Like so many things, it is just eaten up by the big buracrecies of education and government.
Public schools are a real case study. For many years they have been able to convince voters that they could do a better job if they had more money. Truth of the matter is, there has been no improvement no matter how much money you put into that system.
@mrswilmarubble (20)
• Canada
25 Mar 07
I'm not sure if it is the same in the states but everyone in canada pays school taxes. This includes people with no children. The reason behind this is that we all benefit from education and an educated society so we all must contribute. So even though you choose to homeschool your child you still benefit from the public school educated doctor, store clerk, police officer, garbage man, babysitter, etc etc.
@ryleesmama (560)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Where do you live? I think that this is rediculous. Parents are just going to lie and say that their child is sick so that they do not have to pay. I think that schools do not get paid for your child unless your child is in school. Good luck with this and I am going to have to do some research on where I live. One more reason to homeschool my children!
@c2adams2 (351)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Michigan.
Actually, the schools have a count day every year. On that day they count their attendance and send the reports to the government. Money is budgetted to schools as a certain amount per head. So, if your child misses two days, it does not actually change the amount the school recieves. Thanks for the input.
1 person likes this
@serialmommy (639)
• United States
24 Mar 07
They have TWO count days a year now, not just one, one toward the beginning of the school year, and one in the middle of the 3rd semester. I know because I've had to write notes for my son when he was absent on one or both of those days for various reasons so that he could be counted and they would get the money for him. If I could handle my kids home all day with me and not go absolutely crazy, I really would home school them. Though I guess if I were to start doing more stuff for myself after my husband gets home (like going to the gym) I might be able to handle home schooling, I guess I'll give it a try this summer and see how it goes. Anyway, I'm very frustrated with my kids district (also in Michigan, but different than c2adams2 district (I know her, so I know where her kids go) or the one mentioned above, but yet very close to both) and I know my district, along with many others in the area don't have balanced budgets for next year and this proposal may be a way for them to try to budget the books for their schools. Here's a question, FMLA doesn't cover suspensions, would I have to pay the school on the days my son is suspended from school? And if you read my post (on page 3) you'll see why I believe this will never pass as I think it's actually illeagal because it contradicts a law already in effect for Michigan schools.
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
23 Mar 07
I think that this is rediculous!! I have always gotten such negative response from the school system when I try to take my kids out for vacations. Now I just call them in sick. That's what I would do if I were you too.
1 person likes this
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
24 Mar 07
I don't think you should lie. I think that you should organize the other parents and protest this.
@gleznov (391)
• United States
24 Mar 07
That's the most absurd combination of fascism and capitalism I've ever heard of. I recommend you make a huge ruckus - send a letter to the newspaper editor, send an email to the local news TV station. Put up flyers all over town presenting the facts politely but in a way that makes the school look REALLY bad (make sure not to do this in an ugly, slanderous way - let the reality speak for itself). Hopefully the school will be shamed into revoking this ridiculous idea. What a horrible thing to do!
1 person likes this
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
24 Mar 07
It's not capitalism, it's communism. That's exactly what the Communist party does - regulate every part of the lives of the people. I think they should protest because this is not what our country is about.
1 person likes this
@lisado (1227)
• United States
24 Mar 07
What a crock! I can't believe that someone thought this was a good idea?!? We've had to take our son out of school a few days before Christmas leave the past few years because we can only take leave on days my husband's command gives. If we wait until he gets out of school we'd have to wait a few extra days so we wouldn't be able to spend that time with family. We only go home twice a year as it is! We couldn't afford that kind of money to take our son out of school for a couple of days! I guess they want to make sure that kids are going to school and not just making stuff up but this seems a little extreme to me! If this district is doing it, how long before the others think that it's a good idea and they try to put it thru, as well? :( I'd have a serious hissy fit!
1 person likes this
@amusements (106)
• United States
24 Mar 07
Actually, I know that in our school district, the schools are awarded money for each day that a child attends school - and if the kids don't show up, or don't stay for... I think it's about three hours... they don't get the money. I think it was put in place to give school districts an incentive to stop kids from dropping out or skipping school. I found this out during winter, when the roads were iced and snowy, yet they didn't award us a "bad weather" day. I asked why, and was told that it was because of this policy - and, sure enough, there were a couple of days when at about 10:30, the school board suddenly decided that the roads WERE a bit slick, and let us out of school.
1 person likes this
@onabreak2 (1161)
• United States
24 Mar 07
I think it has to do with government funding. They must be getting supplemented by the government somehow.
I would ask. But either way I dont think any parent is going to go for it.
I wouldnt. I am sure there will be a big group of people that are going to complain about it. You will probably be one of them.
1 person likes this
@c2adams2 (351)
• United States
24 Mar 07
As far as I know there is no government initiative for this. In the US students are garonteed the right to a free education. Expecially in this time of No Child Left Behind, the government pays for nothing, and the inability to pay is never a determinant in whether or not your child recieves an education.
1 person likes this
@TriciaW (2441)
• United States
23 Mar 07
I think it is crazy! Have you talked to your county attorney? I know our school makes kids make up time if they miss 10 days be it excused or unexcused. I would say ok my kids will attend 3 extra days instead of me paying. Will their teachers be available the last 3 Saturdays in April? Throw it back at them. If they are so concerned as to charge you then it would only seem natural that they would be willing to come in on Saturdays to help your children make up that time.*L* Of course we know they won't do that but it might surprise them to think that is an option you are willing to take.
@serialmommy (639)
• United States
24 Mar 07
You'll love this tidbit, and how this law will violate another on the books. According to Michigan State Law, a parent may remove their child from school for any reason they choose. They are required to ensure that the child is taught Mathematics, SOcial Sciences, English, Reading, and Spelling. That is it. No checking up by a teacher or the school district. I would think that to have a law where a child is removed from school and the parent would have to pay would in fact, be against the law according to the Home School Law that is already on the books. And I understand that if a child misses a day, it isn't because the parents are choosing to home school, however, if they are required to pay for a day, they can say "I"m homeschooling now" and then "re-enroll" on the day the child returns to school. And the FMLA does not excuse minor illnesses like strep throat or the flu, so would they want me to send my child to school with those highly contagious illnesses? Just a thought.
1 person likes this
@jcgbrains (139)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Your elected school board approved it. If you don't like it, get together with like minded parents and make them change it.
1 person likes this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
24 Mar 07
Goodness that is terrible. But I am wondering what reasons are not considered valid? I live in the UK and a child is allowed so many days by prior arrangement for holidays. Doctors appointments, illness are all acceptable reasons. Unless you are just allowing your child to skip school for no reason I can't see how the charge would affect you.
As I say I am from the Uk so things maybe different were you are.
I shall check back later for more info as I am genuinly interested in this matter. As more often than not the UK ends up with similar systems a couple of years later!
1 person likes this
@mrswilmarubble (20)
• Canada
24 Mar 07
I'm a teacher and I think this is nuts. This is just either a money grab (and I would think illegal) or a misguided attempt to deal with truant students. In my district, parents can and do take their kids out of school for some very lame reasons but it is up to the teachers to see that the students get caught up. It is just a fact of life for teachers. Parents should be held accountable for habitually truant children but taking the kids out of school once in a while, for brief periods of time, to do something with the family -- not the school's problem.
1 person likes this
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
24 Mar 07
That is outrageous. Yes your kids do need to be in school but to charge the parents because there child is sick is totally wrong. What next or do I dare ask that?
@c2adams2 (351)
• United States
25 Mar 07
No, they wouldn't charge because the child was sick, only if you don't bring a doctors note. Of course, this would bog down the pediatricians, because they would have colds and coughs filling up their offices, leaving no room for the truly sick people. Thnx for the reply:)
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
24 Mar 07
I read this also-- I was first appalled as you are. We were actually talking about it at work on break. I said I'm the parent and if I choose to take my daughter on a vacation during school sessions- so be it- I'm the parent after all. I pay school taxes.
Some others made some pretty good comments also- School districts get paid for each child in school. They have to be there a certain amount of time (hence alot of half days) when the child isn't there-- the district doesn't get the money for that 1 child for the days they are out. So to make up for these absences- the school taxes may get raised.. I'm not sure if I believe this-- but she made a point.
I still think that I'm the parent and if I choose to keep my daughter out of school for whatever reason- so be it. A great way around this that I'm sure parents will do-- Call their child in sick-- Go on vacation and call them in sick each day- Sounds silly to have to do it-- especially when most parents request the school work their child will be missing-
@c2adams2 (351)
• United States
24 Mar 07
That is not right. I believe in the US there are two count days, and funding is not adjusted by day, it is adjusted by year. So, in all actuallity, the amount of funding doesn't change. Thnx for the reply.:)
P.S. Even if the schoold doesn't recieve money for that student, there is no student! So, in effect, it balances.
@goshimhappy (334)
• United States
24 Mar 07
That's just crazy, these days schools are restricting the rights of parents more and more. A parent should be able to take their child out of school with a legitimate excuse without having to pay a pointless fee.
@c2adams2 (351)
• United States
26 Mar 07
I agree. After all, the parent is the main decisionmaker, henseforth, they should be able to do this. In loco parentis means in place of the parents. Their authority is the extent to which the parent has agreed or disagreed, and whether or not the child is there. This seems like an attempt to take control away from the parents and grant it to the schools, and look at what they have done with our children!
@marlyse (1056)
• Switzerland
24 Mar 07
here it is so that if you dont have the permission from the school to take your children out by eyample 3 days before the vacation starts, we have to pay swiss francs 3'000.--. its lots of money, but this was done due to misusing from some of the parents.
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
26 Mar 07
Just tell them you will be removing your kids from their schools. Depending on where they rank on the goverments no child left behind scale they will lose anywhere from $10,000 to almost $30,000 for each child pulled out of their schools. If enough parents ban together and pull their kids out, the school district will change their tune in a hurry.
@bhu_bhuvaneshwari (164)
• India
24 Mar 07
Thats sounds weird. but hat exactly would be the logic behin such a rule. What i can think of that is when the parents have to pay a fine for taking the child out of school then they will not do so and the kids contiune to sutdy and its a good idea if this is the case. so hope they have thought about it before enforcing this rule
