Son's School

I have a problem here and could use some advice.

This year my son is graduating from grammar school. They have hot lunches, milk times and snack times. All of which are charged for to the parents.

I am behind on my bill. I just had to finish paying on my son's school graduation trip, to Chicago, and all his classmates are going. I also paid his milk money paid off. I am behind on his hot lunch charge and the snack money.

My problem is that it won't be paid for when he graduates soon. I have given them my word I will pay everything off. I am on a fixed monthly income and I have filed for bankruptcy. I am doing my best every month. He has been at this school for 10 years. They know me.

The clincher is that they have refused to forward his school records to his new high school, and will not give him his report card at the end of the year, until the bills are paid up.

This means that when the first week of June comes along, my son's records will not be sent with his classmates. I told them I would have it paid by June 16th. That is not good enough. They have given me until the 4th to pay in full.

My question is, can they do this legally? Is it okay for them to withhold his school records over lunch money? I am so upset. Any help would be appreciated.

Mary Alice

Gee, I have no idea of the legality of this situation, but I don't think I've ever heard of a school strong arming a parent on a fixed income either

The only thing I can think of is if you have applied for reduced/free lunches etc. for your son? If you are on a fixed income, I would think you might be eligible for at least some kind of reduced rate. Might be worth looking into if you haven't already.

I sure hope you can resolve this very soon. I'm really sorry you are going through this.....doesn't seem right to me.


sabby

Is this a private or public school?

If public I would call the board of education and ask them what their policy is regarding this and if they say they can withhold records ask for a written copy of the policy be mailed to you.

If private you probably have not much choice but I would ask to set up a payment schedule in writing and ask that they mail the records to the new school promptly.

Welcome, PlanningtoLive. Is there anyone that will loan you the money? If not, I would call your Congressional Delegation to see if they can help you.

Is your son old enough to get a part time job? Would family or friends be willing to hire him to do odd jobs to get the bill paid? Maybe talk to the pastor of your church to see if there is some help there.

Good luck.

Sabby,

They don't deal with reduced meals and such. I will admit that they have been very generous with us regarding tuition. My son is on "help" list and I didn't have to pay tuition this year. This is also a private school, which I forgot to mention.

The whole family is upset here. My son is afraid he won't be allowed into high school. And what about graduation? OMG.

Thanks everyone. Like I said, it's a private school. It has one parish priest and it was his idea to help me with tuition for my son. He is 14 by the way.

I already have had someone help me finish up his trip money. I didn't want to not go on one last outing with his classmates. Only so many times I can ask for an assist. I think they are getting tired of me.

I said I'd have some money on the 3rd, and pay the balance on the 16th. Not good enough.

I'm going to ask the principal tomorrow if legally they can do this.

Good luck, PlanningtoLive. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth,

(((((PlanningTo Live)))))

I never heard of such a thing!!! That's awful.

Gee!!!---I am so sorry. I hope it gets resolved. You'll be in my thoughts---------theo

This is terrible. If fees aren't paid here in South Africa, the child is suspended from school. It is terrible that the child has to suffer for something that is beyond their (and the parent's control). I hope you will be able to get this resolved. Will think of you.

Truthfully, at least in my limited experience with private schools, they can keep his records until the bills are paid.

The thing is though, I would go ahead and pay on the 16th like you've said. It really shouldn't effect ANYTHING as long as his new school gets his records before the next year begins. Also, public school may be a better option for you if you are unable to pay for all of the things required for private education. At public schools, you can at least know that you would be able to get free/reduced lunch, which should help you substantially.

Good luck.

I was going to suggest the same thing... it only matters that your son's new school gets his records, therefore, two more weeks isn't going to make much a difference in getting him enrolled.

{{{{{{{Everyone}}}}}}}}}} thank you. My son will be going to a public high school as there is no private ones nearby. I went in and talked to the principal today (after my mother in a conversation said I should behave and thank them for all they have done) and I had come up with a solution.

I said I would come with a larger sum of money on the 3rd (getting help again) and then pay the smaller balance on the 16th. She hesitated, but I said to her, "You KNOW me." She agreed as long as I come with that money, she will have his records forwarded with everyone elses. Like she said, she is going on complete trust with me. I thanked her and felt like I had accomplished something.

I'd still like to know if it is legal or not. Thanks everybody for the replies.

Mary Alice

I'm so glad you've found a solution that you are comfortable with.

I am glad you were able to get this resolved.

Legal? I know it sounds stupid, but I would imagine it would have to be. Here they do the same thing if you’re behind on lunches, class supply fees (art, shop, foods, photography, etc.), have any unreturned library books, the list goes on and on. Class dues are the one that floored me! They don’t have the option NOT to be a part of the class, but if these dues are not paid, no report card.

The one thing that makes me absolutely LIVID is if you are a senior, you’ve worked hard and gone through 13 years of school and if you are tardy ONE time or miss more than two days the entire year without a doctor’s note, you are not permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony. If it were to happen to one of my kids I’d raise the roof!

There is currently a case in a neighboring community where the valedictorian will not be permitted to “walk with her class” because she was tardy one day because there was a power outage and she overslept. Until this point she had perfect attendance her entire HS career. It would have been better for her to just stay home the whole day, rather than missing the first half hour. What message is that sending to our kids? Sadly the outcome will not be able to help her, but perhaps it will help a student in the future. For the record, she will still get her diploma and graduate with honors, but is not allowed to participate in the ceremony.

Good for you, PlanningtoLive.