Any Columbus County parent knows the feeling when they get the student fees list for the next school year. (And so do their pocketbooks) Especially parents who have multiple students to pay for, but these fees may come as a shock to people from other counties.

EDITORIAL By Logan Kennedy

In most counties in North Carolina. Free public education is what it’s called. Free!

So why is this not the case here?

In a county where most people live on a small income, everything counts. So when a parent has to pay for extra fees after already paying for supplies, uniforms, instruments, etc. Parents are understandably not happy.

And for what exactly? That’s what News Hawks is going to try to figure out.

What do the parents that have to pay think?

In a poll ran by NHPCM in August, we asked parents what they thought about the fees, here’s what some of them had to say.

“We pay taxes already. The school don’t have enough books for the students. Then we have to pay for the classes. Where is the money going. Schools are falling down where is the money going!”

“Half of the people in Columbus can’t afford their light bill. How are they going to afford to put their kids in school?”

“Free education should mean free education.“

Although, some where for it.

“To help fund instructional supplies”

“The fees are minimal and help relieve some of the overall cost. They get free breakfast and lunch and that far outweighs the fees”

(this is not accurate, free/discounted meal funding is provided by a Federal program)

So where’s the money going?

To the classroom of course!

Then what’s this?

A whole entire donation page for CCS, well what are they asking for, it shouldn’t be anything like basic supplies. That’s what the fees are for.

Think again:

From basic supplies to COVID protection, they are asking for it all. Let’s put this into perspective. It cost the county about 10,000 dollars per student, and they receive about that same amount for funding. When parents with multiple children are having to pay in some cases over $100+ for all of their children, it begs the question why teachers are still having to ask for more.

So… Once again, where’s the money going?

We believe it is going to the classrooms, we do not have solid enough evidence to say that it’s not. But then why do teachers still need more. With a family of 3-4 children, it’s possible you’ll spend over $100 on fees alone!

As one parent said bluntly: “Half of the people in Columbus can’t afford their light bill. How are they going to afford to put their kids in school?”

How good is the education?

But Columbus County has never been known for great education, and funding in the county is limited. But with many schools not in great condition like the mold and leaking in some schools, what’s going on in this county? This is what we’re going to try to find out, stay tuned for more.