Parents may soon be paying more for high school summer courses because the Harford County Board of Education is considering a fee increase.
Harford County Superintendent Jacqueline C. Haas recommended a $60 increase, which would raise the full credit course fee to $510, citing a shortfall from the last summer session.
Students who are trying to recover a course credit would pay a reduced fee of $335 -- or a $30 increase.
About 400 of nearly 12,000 high school students attend summer school, held at the Center for Educational Opportunity in Aberdeen. Many retake a course after failing; others try to advance in classes, while some attend summer school for personal enrichment.
Summer school was intended to be cost-neutral, but school officials say the system faces a shortfall of $52,423.
Despite concerns that raising the fees could affect students from lower-income families, school administrators said financial aid is available for reducing or waiving fees.
David Volrath, executive director of secondary education for Harford County schools, estimated that less than 10 percent get financial assistance. Most families in difficult financial situations will request to make the payments in smaller increments, he said.
"Anytime you have to raise fees, there is a potential for discouraging participation," Volrath said. "But also these services are available free of charge during the regular school year. It's not like there are no other opportunities without summer school."
Board member John Smilko, who represents Joppa, said, "Nobody should be denied the ability to go to summer school because they cannot afford it."
Smilko said the $60 increase was not a "make or break" issue and expressed confidence that the system had ways to financially assist lower-income students.
Haas said the summer school fee pays for teacher salaries and course materials.
If the summer school fee was increased, as Haas recommended, the fiscal shortfall would be reduced by almost half to $32,380, according to a report.
Harford County Public Schools has a proposed operating budget of $457 million for the next fiscal year.
madison.park@baltsun.com