Waiver-alleviation bill on final step to passage

A bill that would help school districts heavily impacted by fee waivers is headed for the final leg of its legislative journey.

HB46 has passed through the House and on Thursday was approved by the Senate Education Standing Committee.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lou Shurtliff, D-Ogden, would give $400,000 to school districts where at least 30 percent of students qualify for fee waivers because of their low economic status. The fees typically cover costs of extracurricular activities.

Shurtliff's concern is that waiving the fees for poor students is costing schools like Highland High School and Ogden High School more than $50,000 a year. Her bill would allocate state monies to offset some of that cost.

The money to reimburse schools would be spread out over Grand, North Sanpete, Ogden, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Tintic and Wayne school districts.