SECTION II
Fees / Permits / Waiver Benefits
In this section:
- Student Fees
- Device Protection and Fine Overview
- Charge and Refunds for Students Leaving the District
- Student Permit to Drive to School
- Meal Assistance Programs
- Fee Waiver Benefits
- Meal Charge Guidelines
- High School Yearbook Guidelines
Download a printable version of this section:
FEES / WAIVER BENEFITS / PERMITS (PDF)
Student Fees
Please see Student Fees webpage for a listing of fees for the 2024-2025 school year.
Textbook Care Guidelines
Per Iowa Code 301.1:
3. As used in subsection 2, “textbooks” means any of the following:
- Books and loose-leaf or bound manuals, systems of reusable instructional materials or combinations of books and supplementary instructional materials which convey information to the student or otherwise contribute to the learning process.
- Electronic textbooks, including but not limited to computer software, applications using computer-assisted instruction, interactive videodisc, and other computer courseware and magnetic media.
- Laptop computers or other portable personal computing devices which are used for nonreligious instructional purposes only.
Curriculum resources are furnished by the school. These resources include items such as textbooks, digital texts and companion materials, software packages, and other items are an important part of the basic school curriculum and constitute a major District expenditure. It is imperative that both students and teachers consistently strive for good textbook care which will maximize textbook usefulness.
The following guidelines have been established for the Dubuque Community Schools:
Accounting System
The teacher is responsible for monitoring the condition of classroom textbooks and for reporting to the textbook control person unusual textbook damage. At the end of each semester/trimester, an inspection of the textbooks should be made in order to preserve the life of the book.
Damage of Curriculum Resources
Permanent Marks/Major Repairs: Students will be charged the current publisher or vendor replacement cost.
Principals and School Business Managers will attempt to settle all student financial matters prior to the end of the school year. Report cards may not be held if the student account is delinquent or the family is unable to meet their financial obligation.
Student Fines
Lost Curriculum Resources
Refer to definition of textbooks.
Students will be charged the current publisher or vendor replacement cost for lost textbooks/materials.
Refunds will only be given for books lost during the current school year and previous school year. Refunds for lost books that were paid for before the previous school year will not be distributed and will be deleted in Destiny.
Payment of Fines / Fees
All student accounts must be in good standing (fines/fees paid) before a student can participate in a school-sponsored out-of-state or out-of-country trip.
Rebound Textbooks
$12.90
Replacement Cost for Lost Calculators
Students will be charged the current replacement cost for lost calculators.
Device Protection and Fine Overview
The Dubuque Community School District (DCSD) recognizes there is a need to protect the investment of the district-issued, student-assigned device and/or accessories.
The following outlines the various areas of protection provided by the district: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) warranty, break/fix protection and corresponding obligations regarding use of the device and/or accessories by the student.
THEFT, LOSS OR FIRE
The OEM Warranty or the break/fix protection referenced above DOES NOT cover Dubuque Community School District devices and/or accessories that are stolen, lost or damaged by fire while in a student’s custody. The student/parent will be responsible for incurring any replacement costs (not to exceed $350.00) of the district-issued, student-assigned device and/or accessories should it be stolen, lost or damaged.
Students/parents may wish to carry their own personal insurance to protect the device and/or accessories in cases of theft, loss, or accidental damage. Please consult with your insurance agent for details about your personal coverage of the device and/or accessories.
Additionally, a parent/guardian can visit www.dbqschools.org/district/curriculum/anytime-anywhere-learning for a listing of companies to purchase supplemental insurance coverage for the device and/or accessories. Please note that the Dubuque Community School District is not affiliated or associated with, and will not endorse, any insurance provider. Information is provided by the District about supplemental provider is simply for the parent/guardian to investigate and engage regarding their program. Any insurance obtained by a third party is solely between the parent/guardian and the insurance provider.
INTENTIONAL DAMAGE
Students/Parents are responsible for full payment of intentional damages to district-issued, student-assigned devices. OEM Warranty or the Dubuque Community School District’s Break/Fix Protection DOES NOT cover intentional damage of the device and/or accessories. Officials with the Dubuque Community School District will make the determination regarding intentional damage of the district-issued, student assigned device and/or accessories.
The following table is an estimate for pricing related to intentional damage for a device issued or used by a student:
| SCHEDULE OF DAMAGE or DEFACEMENT | Fine |
| SCHEDULE “A” – Examples, but not limited to, would be: Missing/Removed Asset Tags or other Designated Identification Labels |
$10.00 |
| SCHEDULE “B” – Examples, but not limited to, would be: Device Input Ports, Speakers, Web Camera, Various Cable/Plastics/Screw Kits |
$35.00 |
| SCHEDULE “C” – Examples, but not limited to, would be: Casing/Housing, Internal Battery, Power Adapter, Keyboard (missing keys) |
$65.00 |
| SCHEDULE “D” – Examples, but not limited to, would be: Touchscreen Display, Internal Hard Drive |
$225.00 |
| SCHEDULE “E” – Significant damage to device that parts and repair costs would exceed the value of the device. | $360.00 |
All costs of repairs, parts, and fines deemed necessary are the sole discretion of the Dubuque Community School District, the OEM and/or the District’s supplemental coverage provider.
Charge and Refunds for Students Leaving the District
Refunds for students leaving the Dubuque Community School District system can only be issued after they have returned books and materials and paid outstanding fines or fees. Instrument rental refunds are based on the refund percentages shown below. After the first week of school, all fee refunds will be prorated by the appropriate month. Refunds must be requested during the current school year. Refund requests for past school years will not be accepted.
There will be no refunds on Activity Passes or Student Parking Permits.
| Grade Level | Charge | Refund | |||
| K-5 * (full-time) | Waiver 60% Fee |
No Waiver 100% fee |
Waiver 60% Fee |
No Waiver 100% Fee |
|
| First Week of School | $54.00 | $90.00 | $54.00 | 100% | $90.00 |
| September | $54.00 | $90.00 | $43.20 | 80% | $72.00 |
| October | $54.00 | $90.00 | $37.80 | 70% | $63.00 |
| November | $54.00 | $90.00 | $32.40 | 60% | $54.00 |
| December | $54.00 | $90.00 | $27.00 | 50% | $45.00 |
| January ** | $54.00 | $90.00 | $21.60 | 40% | $36.00 |
| February ** | $27.00 | $45.00 | $16.20 | 30% | $27.00 |
| After February | $27.00 | $45.00 | — | 0% | — |
| Grade Level | Charge | Refund | |||
| Middle School * | Waiver 60% Fee |
No Waiver 100% fee |
Waiver 60% Fee |
No Waiver 100% Fee |
|
| First Week of School | $63.00 | $105.00 | $63.00 | 100% | $105.00 |
| September | $63.00 | $105.00 | $50.40 | 80% | $84.00 |
| October | $63.00 | $105.00 | $44.10 | 70% | $73.50 |
| November | $63.00 | $105.00 | $37.80 | 60% | $63.00 |
| December | $63.00 | $105.00 | $31.50 | 50% | $52.50 |
| January ** | $63.00 | $105.00 | $25.20 | 40% | $42.00 |
| February ** | $31.50 | $105.00 | $18.90 | 30% | $31.50 |
| After February | $31.50 | $105.00 | — | 0% | — |
| Grade Level | Charge | Refund | |||
| High School * | Waiver 60% Fee |
No Waiver 100% fee |
Waiver 60% Fee |
No Waiver 100% Fee |
|
| First Week of School | $63.00 | $105.00 | $63.00 | 100% | $105.00 |
| September | $63.00 | $105.00 | $50.40 | 80% | $84.00 |
| October | $63.00 | $105.00 | $44.10 | 70% | $73.50 |
| November | $63.00 | $105.00 | $37.80 | 60% | $63.00 |
| December | $63.00 | $105.00 | $31.50 | 50% | $52.50 |
| January ** | $63.00 | $105.00 | $25.20 | 40% | $42.00 |
| February ** | $31.50 | $105.00 | $18.90 | 30% | $31.50 |
| After February | $31.50 | $105.00 | — | 0% | — |
* Includes all special education
** Students enrolling for the 2nd semester should be charged the reduced February fee. Refunds are for 1st semester students.
Student Permit to Drive to High School
Beginning July 1, 2024, the current Minor School License was updated and renamed to the Special Minor’s Restricted License (SMRL).
For information on how to get a Special Minor’s Restricted License and details on what a student can do with the license, please visit https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/under-18.
Upon completing the affidavit from the Driver’s License Bureau website and the parental consent form, the student submits the affidavit to the high school principal’s office (who is the superintendent’s designee) for approval. When signed by the Principal, it is to be returned to the Driver’s License Bureau for processing.
In the case of both Hempstead High School and Dubuque Senior High School, there is a parking application process and fee to be paid to park in a school lot. Please inquire at your high school for how to proceed with obtaining this permit.
Meal Assistance Programs
Please see Meal Assistance Programs webpage.
Fee Waiver Benefits
Please see Fee Waiver Benefits webpage.
Meal Charge Guidelines
The Dubuque Community School District is committed to offering breakfast and lunch to all students within the district.
These meals may have a cost associated with them depending on the student’s school of attendance and any meal assistance the student/family may receive.
For instances in which a student’s meal account balance becomes negative, the district has established administrative guidelines that determine when a student is no longer able to purchase a la carte meals or when a student may be served an alternate meal.
For more information, refer to school board policy #7002, available in Section VI School Board Policies of this handbook and on the district website at www.dbqschools.org.
High School Yearbook Guidelines
Underclass Student Portraits
All students who have their pictures taken during registration or on one of the picture re-take days will be included in the portrait section of the yearbook. Although an effort will be made to include students who transfer to the school after all professional pictures have been taken, we do not guarantee that those students will be included in the portrait section of the yearbook.
Senior Portraits
All photos and artwork must conform to school policies and standards and are subject to approval by but not limited to the yearbook staff, yearbook adviser, and the school administration. The yearbook staff reserves the right to crop and/or resize any photos submitted without permission, notification or approval. Photos which represent any of the following may also be edited or excluded.
- Violating school policies
- Display of firearms, weapons, drugs, tobacco, alcohol or gambling. Writing, logos, art, or symbols that refer to, promote, or in any way advertise firearms, weapons, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or gambling are not acceptable for publication
- Inappropriate gestures or postures
- All hand gestures
- Revealing or obscene clothing, or any form of dress that is not considered appropriate
- Photos which include more than one person
Students will be responsible for providing digital jpeg files of their senior portraits by the appointed deadline in the fall of their graduating year. Students who fail to submit pictures before the deadline run the risk of having their school ID pictures used or of being excluded from the portrait section of the yearbook.
After the deadline, students will have a one-week grace period to submit a photo without penalty. Thereafter, a late charge will be assessed to any senior who submits a portrait for publication in the yearbook. This charge must be paid before the portrait will be accepted for publication. Any portrait that has not been submitted by February 1 will not be included in the yearbook.
Students who have been previously published in the senior portrait section will not be included in subsequent publications of the yearbook.
Yearbook Distribution
Students who purchased yearbooks may pick them up during registration for the upcoming school year. After registration, yearbooks may be picked up in the school office. Yearbooks will be available for pick up for two years. After two years, we do not guarantee that yearbooks will be available. Those who have not picked up their yearbooks within the two-year time frame will not receive a refund.