Published: August 03, 2008 08:17 am            

State ends tuition fees for school transfers

Transfers being accepted by Clark County corporations on a case-by-case basis

Changes in the property tax system is switching the responsibility of the schools’ general funds from individual corporations to the state.

That change means tuition fees for public schools will essentially be nonexistent as of Jan. 1.

This will effect all students living in one school district, but who want to attend a school in another district.

Before, districts set their own rates based on local property taxes. West Clark Community Schools Corp. Superintendent Monty Schneider said the tuition fees made up for the taxes that were paid to that student’s district, but did not follow to the district the student chose to attend.

With property taxes ending, that takes away the formula used to calculate tuition.

“We expect some increased numbers,” Schneider said of the student population. “We think we’re going to get some good students.”

Clarksville Community Schools Superintendent Steve Fisher said he also expects to see more students due to the change.

“You can see how this can cause a big impact on Clarksville, because of our [small] size,” Fisher said.

Since CCS and West Clark are smaller in overall size than other corporations, the two plan to be careful in allowing transfers as to not exceed their limitations, such as requiring them to hire an additional teacher.

The two superintendents also said they will accept students on a case-by-case basis and will not allow students who had been expelled from another corporation or those who have shown to cause problems. Schneider said Tony Bennett, superintendent for Greater Clark County Schools, had told him GCCS would do the same. Bennett could not be reached for verification.

CCS and West Clark will still charge for first semester. Second semester will be free. Fees range from around $1,000 for West Clark to $1,475 for Clarksville per student per semester.

Next year, both semesters will be free.

As for Greater Clark, the corporation is working on developing a policy to address this issue, Bennett said via e-mail. He said he plans to have that ready to present to the school board by the September board meeting.

        

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