$700,000 for school fees passes legislative hurdle

A bill offering $700,000 to help schools shoulder costs of waiving low-income students' academic and activity fees passed its first legislative hurdle Tuesday.

HB68, sponsored by Rep. Lou Shurtliff, D-Ogden, cleared the House Education Standing Committee and advances to the full House for debate.

The bill would flow funds through the State Office of Education, and offers up to $40 per eligible high school student. The money wouldn't cover everything — Ogden School District reportedly spends about $250,000 on school fee-waivers. But it would help, say supporters including the Utah School Superintendents Association and Utah Education Association.