Superintendent enacts “no fines” school library lending for students.
In ongoing efforts to encourage reading and improved literacy rates for school students,
Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings has eliminated the practice of fining students for late library
books and other materials.
“In the past, schools in our district imposed fines if students return books late, and in
some cases, would add compounded interest and threaten students with not graduating,”
Cummings said. “This practice needs to stop. We want to encourage our students to read, to
borrow books from their school libraries -- not discourage them with financial penalties.”
Cummings also reiterated his policy on book fees for students: No one will be denied
graduation if their book fees are not paid at graduation time.
“We provide financial aid to those families for whom book fees are out of reach,” said
Cummings, “and we’re in the business of educating our students, not holding them back.”