Student fees and all back-to-school supplies for every student enrolled in Danville schools will be paid for by the district this year.

The Danville Board of Education voted to accept Superintendent Dr. Tammy McDonald’s recommendation to use a portion of the district’s COVID relief funds to pay for the fees and supplies during a special called meeting Monday afternoon.

“We know that technically we’re still in the pandemic. It’s still here. A lot of our families were unemployed for months, over the last 18 months. … Even though our economy is coming back, we know that a lot of our families are struggling, and we want to help them,” McDonald said.

Student fees are $20 for each student attending Mary G. Hogsett Primary School and Edna L. Toliver Intermediate School; $25 at John W. Bate Middle School; and $69 for Danville High School.

On top of the fees, the district will give each school $40 per student to pay for school supplies, including crayons, pencils, highlighters, paper, and even tissues.

The total amount that will be allocated to the schools is $64,881.50, McDonald said.

The only items students may need to purchase will be their backpacks, a reusable water bottle and a lunch box, if they choose to bring their own lunch. As in the past, every student will also be provided breakfast and lunch at no cost. Also, Chromebooks and iPads will be provided to each student again this year.

Clear backpacks are not required this year because students will be allowed to use their lockers throughout the day, McDonald said.

“Each principal will work with their teachers to determine what is needed in their individual classrooms, and then a large school order will be made,” McDonald explained.

“We are still in the middle of a pandemic and many families are still struggling with the challenges brought on by COVID. We are very excited to be able to do this for our students,” McDonald said.

Board chair Steve Becker agreed. “I think it’s a great opportunity for our families.”

Students in the Danville school district return to classroom learning on Tuesday, Aug. 24.