Dear Brandon-Evansville Families,
I am writing to provide an important update regarding the $45 school-supply fee that was recently communicated to families.
After receiving a concern from a parent, the district reviewed the Minnesota statutes governing school fees, including Minnesota Statutes 123B.36, 123B.37, and 123B.38. These statutes outline the types of fees school districts may charge and the process that must be followed when establishing certain school fees.
During our review, we determined that the $45 school-supply fee had not gone through the appropriate school board approval process. As a result, the district cannot require families to pay a mandatory school-supply fee at this time.
We understand that this change comes at an inconvenient time, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion or frustration it may cause. Our goal is to correct the situation as quickly as possible while giving families flexibility in obtaining the supplies their children need for the upcoming school year.
Parents will have several options for obtaining school supplies:
Purchase the school supplies independently.
Teachers in grades K–6 will provide families with their classroom school-supply lists so parents can purchase the necessary items at the store of their choice.
Purchase supplies through the school.
The school will have classroom supply items available for families who would prefer to purchase them through the school during Early Conferences.
Request assistance with school supplies.
We understand that purchasing school supplies can be a financial challenge for some families. If your family is unable to afford the supplies your child needs, please contact the Evansville School Office. We will work with you to make sure your child has the necessary supplies for the school year. Please do not hesitate to reach out—we want to make sure every student is prepared for a successful start to the school year.
There is no mandatory $45 school-supply fee that families are required to pay.
We recognize that many families may have already made plans based on the original information, and we apologize for the late change. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this issue and ensure that we are following the appropriate process moving forward.
Thank you for your continued support of Brandon-Evansville School District. We look forward to welcoming our students and families back for another great school year.
Sincerely,
JJ Lamb
Superintendent
Brandon-Evansville School District