Three years ago, when Greg Rasmussen was a rookie superintendent, the Middletown City Schools District board of education was discussing how to handle student fees.

Three years later, during the first meeting since Rasmussen announced he was resigning to take the same position in Andover, Kan., student fees again were a hot topic.

While the board approved the 2013-2014 students fees at $45 a year for elementary and middle school students, there was much debate on the topic.

Treasurer Kelley Thorpe told the board about 75 percent of the 6,200 students in the district don’t pay student fees because they receive free or reduce lunches based on their family income. Of the remaining 25 percent, Thorpe said, about 50 percent of the students pay their fees.

Eventually, when a student becomes a senior, they can’t walk with their classmates at commencement unless their student fees are paid, and the district won’t release transcripts of a student who owes fees, she said.

Thorpe said the district typically transfers between $100,000 to $125,000 in the general budget to cover unpaid student fees.

The Rev. Greg Tyus, vice president of the board, suggested possibly reducing the fees on the front end in hopes of collecting from a larger percentage of students. But he was told that wouldn’t impact those who don’t have to pay their fees.

The board also discussed adding items to the required school list to purchase before school starts. But Betsy Carter, senior director of learning, said if parents are unable to make the necessary purchases, then the expense of the work books and supplies would “land in our teachers’ pockets.”

Katie McNeil even suggested eliminating the student fees since only a small percentage of families in the district pay them.

Fiora resigns from board

School board member Chris Fiora submitted his letter of resignation at the end of the meeting, effective Thursday. Andrew said she accepted Fiora’s resignation with “regret” and the board “is going to miss him.”

Fiora called serving on the board for six years “a privilege and honor.” He pointed toward the improvements the district has made during that time.

She said the board must appoint a replacement within 30 days, but not sooner than 10 days. She’d like to have a replacement appointed by April 8.

She said candidates must be at least 18 years old, live in the Middletown district and care about the public school system. His replacement would serve until the end of the school year, and run for re-election in November to serve his remaining two years. Resumes and a letter of interest may be sent to mandrew@middletowncityschools.com or dropped off at the district’s administration offices at 1515 Girard Ave.