Biden-Harris Administration to End Online Junk Fees for Low-Income Families Paying for School Meals

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that students eligible for free and reduced price school meals must not be charged junk fees along with the cost of a meal served through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. This policy, effective school year 2027-2028, will lower costs for families with income under 185% of federal poverty guidelines – equal to $57,720 for a family of four – by ensuring they are not burdened by processing fees when purchasing school meals for their children.  Today’s action is a first step. USDA will examine fees charged to families with a goal of eliminating online junk fees for all families regardless of income level to further remove barriers to access healthy meals. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service issued a memo today to schools across the country about this policy. The school year 2027-2028 implementation date gives schools ample time to modify current systems or establish new contracts; however, USDA is encouraging schools to implement this requirement as soon as possible. The memo also reiterated USDA’s longstanding policy that schools must offer all families a free and accessible method for making deposits to school meal accounts – and that schools must ensure families know about this option.  

“USDA and schools across America share the common goal of nourishing schoolchildren and giving them the fuel they need to learn, grown and thrive,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “While today’s action to eliminate extra fees for lower income households is a major step in the right direction, the most equitable path forward is to offer every child access to healthy school meals at no cost. We will continue to work with Congress to move toward that goal so all kids have the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.” 

“Today’s announcement reflects the President and Vice President’s broader efforts to lower food costs and eliminate junk fees,” said National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard. “The Department of Agriculture’s action applies to the 1 million children who receive reduced priced meals and lays the foundation to eliminate these junk fees for all 30 million children that receive healthy meals at school every day.” 

Last year, the Administration committed to bring down costs for Americans by cracking down on junk fees, which are hidden fees that increase costs for customers and bring financial stress on low-income families. And this year, USDA promised to bring relief to families of children who eat school meals, in response to a report from the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau which found that online school meal payments are raising costs for them. 

K-12 schools serve nutritious meals to about 30 million children every school day. While this policy applies to all students eligible for free or reduced lunch, it will most directly benefit the more than 1 million students who received reduced price school meals. By law, students who are eligible for reduced price meals cannot be charged more than $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch. But some families end up paying more than that, by way of processing fees they’re charged when depositing money into their student’s school meals account using an online method. The policy announced today will ensure fairness for all students receiving meals at a reduced price, even when paying online. Schools may choose to use their own funds to cover the processing fees associated with online payment systems.  

The memo also includes best practices schools can use to inform families of the payment methods available that do not add fees.  

Healthy School Meals for All  

Advancing a pathway to free healthy school meals for all is a priority set forth in the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.   

Eight states have taken permanent actions to provide healthy school meals at no cost to all their students: California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont.   

Meanwhile, in other states, many schools in high-need areas provide free meals to all their students through the Community Eligibility Provision, commonly known as CEP. Last year, USDA gave an estimated 3,000 more school districts the option to serve breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost by expanding the availability of CEP.  

Support for Healthy Kids  

USDA is committed to helping kids lead healthy lives. The Department has taken several actions to bolster programs that provide critical nutrition to infants and children. Specific to the school meal programs, USDA has provided a total of nearly $13.2 billion in extra financial support for schools across the country since 2021.  

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.   

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https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/11/01/biden-harris-administration-end-online-junk-fees-low-income

Groups ask high court to bar ‘exorbitant’ fees for government documents

Frustrated by the rising cost of obtaining government documents, three public interest groups have turned to the state’s highest court for relief. 

The organizations want the Court of Appeals to interpret state law in a manner that would make most government documents available to the public free of charge. And in cases where fees are warranted, the groups say it’s time state and local governments stopped charging “exorbitant” rates. 

The groups — the ACLU of Maryland, the Baltimore-based Public Justice Center and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee — filed their petition with the Court of Appeals earlier this month. Their plea came in the form of an amicus brief filed in support of the appellants in Baltimore City Police Department, et al. v. Open Justice Baltimore, a civil rights organization. 

The groups’ lawyer noted that the General Assembly has instructed state and local agencies that they should waive document fees when doing so “would be in the public interest.” Despite that order, the public has seen “a disturbing pattern” emerge in recent years. 

“[A]gencies are increasingly demanding that public interest organizations like [the petitioners] pay thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to access records about the operations and activities of the government,” the groups wrote. 

The ability of individuals and groups to hold governments accountable for their actions “begins to crumble if government agencies are permitted to erect barrier after barrier when nonprofit public interest organizations… seek access to public records in furtherance of their missions,” they added...

Groups ask high court to bar 'exorbitant' fees for government documents - Maryland Matters

AP Snafus / Why is the College Board in our Schools?

In the midst of this pandemic it became clear that the College Board, a private company, could not use its favorite space for AP examinations: public schools across the country.

Why does the AP like using public school space, paid for by local governments, and not its own private space?

Let’s start by asking, what does the College Board pay school systems to use their space?  Oh, and what does it pay school systems for cancelling classes?  And I guess, what does it pay to families for having their children’s classes cancelled?

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

The College Board steals from families and local governments across the country. But the cost is built in. It’s hidden. But it is real.

The College Board also could not use its favorite proctors. Who do they use to proctor their exams? How do they pay them?

Public School teachers. And the College Board does not pay them. Local school districts pay the College Board’s proctors.

Are these unemployed teachers?

Nope. These teachers have their own classes. While they are proctoring, their classes are not being taught by their regular teachers. They are being taught by subs...

https://jd2718.org/2020/05/15/ap-snafus-why-is-the-college-board-in-our-schools/

A Parents' Coalition tip that could save you hundreds of dollars of property taxes

Many homeowners in Montgomery County still have not completed the one-time verification form for the homestead credit. As homes start to appreciate in value, the homestead credit will automatically be applied, but ONLY TO PROPERTIES THAT HAVE A HOMESTEAD VERIFICATION FORM ON FILE WITH THE SDAT. IF THE FORM HAS NOT BEEN FILED, YOUR PROPERTY TAXES COULD GO UP BY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN 2016, 2017, and so forth.

The original deadline for submitting the homestead verification form was December 30, 2013. However, you can submit the form by December 31, 2015 and get the homestead credit starting in 2016. If you’ve already submitted the form, you don’t need to submit it again (unless you move to another home).

Submitting the homestead verification form is quick and easy. Frequently asked questions about the homestead credit and a link to the verification form can be found at:

http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/homestead_app.htm

The homestead credit is not issued to rental properties or "second homes", such as vacation homes. Each Maryland resident (or married couple) is allowed to claim only one property as their principal residence.

Also – don’t confuse the homestead credit with the “homeowner’s credit”. The homeowner’s credit is available only to low income homeowners and an application for the homeowner’s credit must be submitted each year. In contrast, the homestead credit is available to every owner-occupant, regardless of income.

BOE Won't Fund Graduations So Principals Extort Money from Students? What's wrong with this picture?

Public school graduation is free in Maryland.  There is no legal charge to attend your own graduation from a Montgomery County Public High School.

The Board of Education got their budget request fully funded by the County Council this year!  How is it that graduation is not included in fully funding the public school budget? 

...Most Montgomery County high schools hold commencement at the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., which costs more than what’s allotted by the school system, forcing the schools to charge students a fee to graduate...

 http://www.gazette.net/article/20140513/NEWS/140519867/-1/arena-at-shady-grove-metro-station-poised-to-advance&template=gazette

Apple Ballot Surprise: Bus Fees for MCPS students

Now that the election is over, the Apple Ballot candidates can get to work.


And so we see that on November 3, 2010 - just one day after the General Election, the Montgomery County Delegation led by Senator Rich Madelano sent an e-mail out from the Montgomery County Delegation announcing that the Delegation has filed a bill in Annapolis to allow MCPS to CHARGE STUDENTS A FEE TO RIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSES. 


Yes, that's what you voted for on November 2nd. You just didn't know it. Surprise!


Thank the Apple Ballot for all that transparency in their agenda! Glad constituents were able to discuss this proposed legislation during the campaigns - oh that's right - they weren't because the candidates didn't reveal they had this up their sleeves.


MC10-11_pdf

Win President Obama for Graduation!

Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge

Whitman Shorts: Student Debtors posted

Whitman Shorts, the Walt Whitman High School student television news show, did a report on illegal curricular fees, the posting of student names on school walls when fees are owed, and the violation of the Maryland Open Meetings Act by the MCPS Board of Education.

*In the report, hear the Whitman Principal say that it is "unrealistic for the schools to be able to provide everything - it is far too expensive".

*On November 20, 2008, I gave testimony to the Montgomery County Delegation to Annapolis on the issue of illegal curricular fees. In that testimony, I stated that as punishment for not paying illegal curricular fees "students have their names posted on lists that are hung on the walls of some schools." Later that same evening, in an apparent attempt to refute my testimony, Delegate Brian Feldman questioned Board of Education President Shirley Brandman, asking;

"...I hope you say that this is actually not true, but this idea that if there's arrears for fees, that somehow they are posted on some school, I mean, is that true?"

Board of Education President, and Whitman High School parent, Shirley Brandman replied:

"I really don't know what that incident refers to."

Watch the Whitman Shorts report showing the lists of student debtors posted on the walls at President Brandman's own neighborhood high school.

The Whitman Shorts reporter is John Yarchoan. Watch the video here:


Thanks to Whitman Shorts for providing the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland with a copy of this report.
Janis Sartucci

Fees waived if you know who to ask

You might remember my article from about five weeks ago, where I described how I stumbled upon a way to get illegal curricular fees removed my daughter's account so that she will be able to attend graduation and participate in other school activities.

If you don't have time to read (or reread) the article now, the short story is that I received a demand letter for a curricular fee for one of daughter's classes and was eventually able to have the fee rescinded with help from Maryland State Delegate Saqib Ali. The fee was rescinded because, according to Superintendent Jerry Weast, the demand letter that I received was a "mistake".

A question that has never been answered is: Does the decision to rescind the curricular fee apply just to my child -- presumably because of Delegate Ali's involvement -- or to all MCPS students? To get an answer, I repeatedly called and emailed MCPS Director of School Performance Mr. Stephen Bedford (since he is handling the fees issues), but Mr. Bedford refused to answer my question.

Even after repeated calls, Mr. Bedford continued to be nonresponsive, so I contacted my elected BOE representative, Ms. Nancy Navarro. Here is my email to Ms. Navarro. (Again, I recommend that you read my previous article about the situation for background information.)

Publish at Scribd or explore others: School Work Study Guides, Notes, weast mcps

Initially, Ms. Navarro did not respond to the email message shown above. I wasn't too surprised, though, since she did not respond to any of the other three emails that I sent her during the past two years, even though I'm her constituent. (In comparison, my county councilmember, Mike Knapp, has been responsive and effective when I have contacted him. Now I'm not saying that Mr. Knapp has supported all of my positions, but he has always replied and provided an explanation for whatever action he decided to take.)

After waiting about three weeks for Ms. Navarro to respond to my email, I left her a voicemail message. About a week later, Ms. Navarro finally returned my call and I reiterated my request to get an answer to my question about the fee policy. Ms. Navarro told me that she would work to get an answer, but as of now -- five weeks after asking for her assistance -- I still don't have an answer from Ms. Navarro or from anyone in MCPS.

At this point, I doubt that I'll get an answer from Mr. Bedford or Ms. Navarro before the end of the school year. If things change, I'll certainly give an update.

Superintendent Weast determines that charging curricular fee was a "mistake" following inquiry by Maryland state delegate

MCPS policies and practices don't always agree with Maryland state laws, but the law is authoritative when there is a conflict. So, when I received an "obligation letter" for a $35 "Consumer Science" (cooking class) fee from my child's school, I decided to challenge the fee.

For many years, the Maryland Attorney General has held the position that curricular fees are illegal. In January 2009, MCPS Superintendent Jerry Weast released a memo describing a new curricular fee policy that does away with most curricular fees. However, the new policy continues to allow some curriculum-related fees. An article in the Washington Post summarized Dr. Weast's curricular fee memo as follows:

Under Weast's proposal, schools could no longer charge for any materials required for an academic course, with a few exceptions for items that go home with the student, such as a ceramic bowl, or go into their stomachs, such as a cake baked in cooking class.

Here is the "obligation" letter that I received from the school. Note that it says that my child won't be allowed to attend graduation or receive a diploma if I don't pay the $35 fee.

(You can click on the control buttons on any of the documents below to make them larger and easier to read.)

Demand Letter for Consumer Science Class Fee

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Presentations & Slid bill weast

I sent MCPS form 270-8 to the school principal to ask that he rescind the curricular fee. (Note that you can get a blank copy of form 270-8 from this web site, specifically from here.) Here is my form 270-8, showing my complaint and the principal's response.

Initial Complaint Against Curricular Fee (with denial)

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Presentations & Slid complaint mcps

And here is a letter that the principal sent to me that gives his detailed explanation for denying my request to rescind the fee.
Denial letter from Principal - Request to Remove Fee Obligation

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Presentations & Slid curricular fee weast magruder

After receiving the denial letter from the principal, I sent an appeal package to Dr. Weast. Here is my cover letter.

Appeal to Superintendent Weast for Removal of Curricular Fee

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Presentations & Slid illegal mcps

While I was waiting for the response to my appeal, I remembered when Maryland State Delegate Saqib Ali asked BOE President Shirley Brandman for clarification about curricular fees during public testimony, so I wrote to Delegate Ali to give him an update. Here is my email to Delegate Ali and his reply.
Correspondence Between Maryland State Delegate Saqib Ali and Louis Wilen Regarding Fee Removal

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Presentations & Slid weast mcps

About the same time that I received the reply email (shown above) from Delegate Ali, I received an email from the principal of my child's school stating that the fee was being rescinded. He provided no explanation for the change in his decision.

A few days later, I received the following letter from MCPS Chief Operating Officer Larry Bowers.

MCPS - Appeal of fee for consumable items "moot", says Larry Bowers

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Presentations & Slid weast mcps

At this time, I am still waiting for a reply from Mr. Bedford as to whether the decision to rescind all curricular fees will apply to all MCPS students or just to my child and/or those who bring the issue to the attention of a Maryland state delegate.

Also noteworthy is the fact that Mr. Bowers advised, in his letter shown above, that if I wish to appeal his decision to the BOE, the appeal must be submitted within 10 days. The policy documents say that 30 days are allowed for an appeal to the BOE. I've been told that Mr. Bowers has worked for MCPS since around the time that chalkboards were first introduced into MCPS classrooms, so if anyone knows the policies, it's Mr. Bowers. Therefore, I cannot explain the discrepancy between the 30 days allowed in the policy and the 10 days allowed in Mr. Bowers' letter. Update: A member of Mr. Bowers' staff called to tell me that the "10 days" was a typographical error and that a corrected version of the letter will be mailed to me.

Weast can't provide free public education

In a February 3, 2009, memorandum to the MCPS Board of Education, Superintendent Weast states that, "The cost of eliminating all fees and expenses for students would be prohibitive."
Superintendent Weast is stating that he is unable to follow the Maryland Constitution and provide all MCPS students with access to a free public education? Why is he unable to follow the law?
Below is the memorandum where he makes this statement. The memorandum was supposed to be in response to Board members questions about the cost of eliminating all Curricular Fees.
However, the memorandum is very confusing because Superintendent Weast discusses all student fees - extra-curricular fees and parking fees are not the issue.
What is at issue is the charging of public school students to attend classes in MCPS public schools. How is it that the law can be followed in other Maryland counties, but cannot be followed in Montgomery County?
02 03 09CourseFees(2)Memo

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Reports memo Politics-Campaigns-a

Graduating? Not so fast. Pay up or stay home.

A number of MCPS high schools charge students mandatory "senior dues" that are required to be paid in order to attend graduation. When did the Board of Education authorize local schools to assess students a fee for graduating? Board of Education minutes and policies appear to be silent on this mandatory fee. But evidence of this mandatory "pay up or stay home" assessment can be found on a number of high school websites. Note at some schools the dues increase if not paid by a certain date. Some senior dues include the cap and gown, some do not.

Blair High School: Senior Dues $16.50

Blake High School: Pay up or stay home in 2007 Senior Class dues were $5

Kennedy High School: Senior Dues $40-$50 plus Cap & Gown $47 - $60

Northwood High School: Senior Dues $110 to $120 (includes Cap & Gown)

Poolesville High School: Senior Class Dues $75

Richard Montgomery High School: Senior Class Dues $65 to $75

Walter Johnson High School: Senior Class Dues $60 to $90 and Obligations

Whitman: Senior Dues $50 (includes Cap & Gown)

MCCPTA: Students are entitled to a free public education

This month the Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) will be taking up a resolution regarding Curricular Fees charged to families in Montgomery County Public Schools. The first sentence of the resolution states: Students are entitled to a free public education. It is great to see that the word is finally getting out to PTA members countywide! In Maryland, your child has the right to a free public education! For more information, please refer to the Parents' Coalition's Guide to Fees.

WPost: Board Told to Open Up About Closed Sessions

As first reported here, the Montgomery County Board of Education has been found to be in violation of the Maryland Open Meetings Act. At the time of the violation the President of the MCPS Board of Education was Nancy Navarro. No elected Board of Education members are quoted in the February 19th Washington Post article on this violation.

At the meeting that was the subject of the Complaint, the Board of Education went behind closed doors, without proper disclosure of the topic, to discuss the illegal curricular fees that are being charged MCPS students. The topic of that meeting was disclosed after the fact by President Navarro in a prepared statement later that day.

Note that to date, the Board of Education has not put the issue of illegal Curricular Fees as an agenda item at an Open Meeting. Yet, the Superintendent has gone forward with "new" curricular fee rules to be implemented for the 2009-10 school year, without any public discussion by the elected Board of Education.

What was the Board discussing at the September 9th meeting? When did the Board decide to remain silent on this issue of major importance to public school families? When did the Board delegate this issue to the Superintendent?

The Board's silence on the issue of Curricular Fees means that MCPS parents will continue to be charged to attend public school classes in MCPS for years to come. The Maryland State Constitution, the opinion of the Maryland Attorney General and the opinion of the Maryland State Board of Education are to be ignored in Montgomery County.

Our elected Board of Education will not stand up for a child's right to a free public education in Maryland and they will not take up this issue in public.

If it is curriculum related a school system cannot charge a fee

These words come from the Maryland Attorney General's office in response to questions about hundreds of course fees charged students who attend Montgomery County Public Schools.

If it is curriculum related a school system cannot charge a fee.

Yet, we see Superintendent Weast continuing to put out contradictory information to MCPS staff via the February 17th edition of the MCPS publication "The Bulletin". In this edition of the MCPS Bulletin, MCPS staff are told:

Generally, allowable course-related fees are limited to:

• Materials that become a product that belongs to the student, such as a student art project.
• Personal items that become the student’s property, such as auto technology uniforms.
• Food consumed by the student as part of a course.

According to the Maryland Attorney General, there are no "allowable course-related fees". Why are MCPS staff being given bad information?

On August 18, 2008, Superintendent Weast was sent a letter (see below) from the Maryland Attorney General's office. The letter outlined current Maryland law with regard to curricular fees and quoted the opinion of the Attorney General that, "we are safe in saying that anything directly related to a school's curriculum must be available to all without charge."

Why are MCPS students being denied their Maryland Constitutional right to a free public education under Superintendent Weast's leadership? Why has the Board of Education been silent on this fundamental issue of equal access to education for all?

For a complete overview of the Curricular Fees issue in Montgomery County Public Schools, please see the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland's Guide to Fees, including MCPS' own attorney's explanation of the difference between Curricular Fees and Extra-Curricular Fees in Maryland. MCPS' own attorney knows that Extra-Curricular fees can be charged under Maryland law, and Curricular Fees can not be charged.

KameenOAGLetter

What Really Motivates Parent Activists

Today's Washington Post include Letters to the Editor on "What Really Motivates Parent Activists".

Farewell Appearance of the Blair HS Gym Towel - MCPS Operating Budget Testimony 1/14/2009

Testimony of
Rosanne A. Hurwitz
Before the Montgomery County Board of Education
On the MCPS Proposed Operating Budget for FY 2010
January 14, 2009

Good evening. My name is Rosanne Hurwitz. I am a parent of two children, a resident of Rockville Maryland and a founding member of the Parents Coalition. Thank you for this opportunity to address the issue of the Montgomery County Operating Budget.

The first time I testified before the Board of Education was in April, 2001. The subject was the math curriculum, and math textbooks. At the time, those of us involved thought we had won the battle when we began to see math textbooks in classrooms around the county. What we didn’t realize was that we also needed to specify who picks up the tab for these curricular expenses.

Tonight, I bring to you what I hope is the last appearance of the Blair HS Gym Towel. In this budget, and as noted in a memo last week from Dr. Weast, the BOE has finally acknowledged that expenditures for curricular items, including textbooks and this towel, are the responsibility of the school system and not parents. I welcome additional information and look forward to those amendments to the budget that will bring MCPS practice in line with the state mandate for a free public education.

I am concerned, however, whether the current budget in its proposed and amended form, will provide our children with the necessary materials they need for their education. Is the $1.5 million dollars sufficient? I can’t tell by reading the budget for two reasons: 1. The budget does not include curricular fees as a source of income/revenue to the school, so it is impossible to determine the dollar figures needed to replace the curricular fees if eliminated; and 2. We don’t have an accounting of what these fees really purchased. The Operating Budget needs to specifically provide for curricular items, such as textbooks and supplies, in a manner that the taxpaying public can comprehend.

The Maryland State Constitution and statutory authority clearly provide for a free public education, with textbooks and materials of instruction available to students free of charge. The terms are entitled to their plain meaning. We all know what a textbook is, and by now we are sufficiently familiar with online resources to identify electronic textbooks - to paraphrase Supreme Court Justice Potter Stuart - we know what it is when we see it. The categorization that some materials, like workbooks, owl eyes, and chicken wings, become the property of the student and thus the costs should be borne by the families is without merit. Whether consumed in a cooking lab or dissected in a biology lab, a chicken wing by any other name is still a chicken wing.

It is time for the Board of Education and the school system to face its obligations, make appropriate provisions to use the money they are allocated, obey the law, and fund those curricular items that are an integral part of the school program. The school system can not claim that it is justified by a tough economy. You can’t rob a bank merely because you are short of funds and want to go out to eat. If the law needs to be changed, change it, but don’t break it and hope no one will notice. Parents throughout Montgomery County teach their children to be law abiding and moral citizens; we expect no less of the public servants in charge of our school system.