Parents of public school students will have a process to file a complaint if a school charges fees for school activities as of January 1, 2013. A California bill AB1575 written by Assemblymember Ricardo Lara (D-South Gate) was signed into law and will become effective as California Education Code commencing with Section 49010. School districts must accept complaints under the Uniform Complaint process.

Parents cannot be required to pay for school supplies or activities such as field trips, uniforms, school supplies, musical instruments, even participation in cheerleading, soccer, or other extracurricular activities.

Students in public schools cannot be required to pay for locks, calculators, uniforms, or other school items because of the state Constitution. It states that the Legislature shall provide a system of common schools by which a free school shall be kept up and supported in each district.

Any parent may file a complaint describing the illegal student fee and writing at the top of the letter “UNIFORM COMPLAINT”. It may be submitted to the principal, or directly to the superintendent or legal office. The district will have 60 days to respond to the parent’s uniform complaint. The response can be appealed to the California Department of Education. One source for information about the complaint process is the parent organization, UP For Ed – San Diego United Parents for Education, 3990 Old Town Ave., Suite B-210,San Diego, CA 92110. The email is info@upfored.org. The telephone number is 866. 879.3373.