Board Approves 2026-2027 Student Fees

Lakota continues its practice of applying fees based on a student’s schedule for the 2026-2027 school year. This shift was introduced last year, ensuring families only pay for the specific resources and activities that apply to their students.

"School fees should be about what a child uses, what they consume," Superintendent Ashley Whitely said. Lakota utilizes fees to ensure students have the exact tools required for their specific classes without impacting the general operating budget.

The Board approved student fees at its June 29 meeting.

Grades K-6

• Supply Kits: Fees will continue to cover school supply kits. Costs vary by grade based on the items needed.
• Shared Items: Lakota will purchase bulk items like tissues, paper towels and disinfecting wipes. A small fee will be added to cover these items.
• Parent Responsibility: Parents only need to provide personal items like backpacks, lunch boxes and headphones. Grade-specific lists are available on the District’s school supply webpage.

Grades 7-12

• No Supply Kits for Grades 7-8: Based on family feedback, junior school students will not receive a pre-packaged supply kit this year. Supply lists are posted on the District’s school supply website.
• Class-Specific Fees: High school fees will now match a student's actual schedule. For example, families will only pay a science lab fee if their student is enrolled in that class. The same applies for junior school English and art classes.
• Extracurricular Clubs: There will not be a fee for extracurricular clubs unless noted on the “pay to participate” section of the student fees webpage. The District continues to review club funding.

Digital Learning Fee (All Grades)

The $35 digital learning fee remains in place for  all K-12 students. This fee funds learning platforms like Canvas, software apps and digital tools. It also includes a warranty for student-issued Chromebooks to cover repairs and maintenance.

School Meal Prices

Standard lunch prices will increase by $0.25 this year to align with rising food costs. Breakfast prices will remain the same as last year.

• Student Breakfast: $2.00
• Student Lunch: $3.50

More details are available on the Child Nutrition website.

Payment Methods and Fee Waivers

The District continues to use PaySchools Central for all payments, including school fees and meal accounts.

• Electronic Check (ACH): Free. The District covers the transaction cost.
• Credit or Debit Card: PaySchools adds a convenience fee per transaction.

Fees do not apply to families who qualify for the district waiver. The waiver application, available on the Child Nutrition website, opens Aug. 1 and must be completed every school year.

For a full list of fees by grade and course, visit the District’s student fees webpage.