New fee for Canfield band, choir students

CANFIELD

A fee to be charged to band and choir students beginning next year is a point of contention with one school board member.

The board voted 4-1 Wednesday night to approve class fees for the 2012-13 school year, including a $50 fee per student for those who participate in band or choir.

Board member Renee Gessner voted no, saying she’s always opposed the implementation of the fee for those students.

“I will say no to all these class fees,” she said. “Cuts are needed rather than the hopes of new fees.”

Gessner said instead, the band and choir directors should work with their respective booster clubs to try and raise additional funding.

“Adding fees gives the impression that this is just a different way to raise taxes,” she said.

Superintendent Dante Zambrini said the cuts have been discussed at length with board members, as well as building principals.

“We’ve discussed this extensively,” he said. “If you don’t save the money here you have to cut different things.”

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.