The state Department of Education is seeking approval from the state Board of Education to raise the maximum allowable student activity fees for middle and high school students — the first such increase in more than 25 years.
The proposal, if approved, would take effect in the 2026-27 school year and represents a significant change in how schools fund extracurricular programs.
Under the DOE’s plan, student association fees and school club dues would double from $10 to $20. Class dues would rise from $5 to $15 for grades 6 to 8, and from $8 to $18 for grades 9 to 12.
DOE officials say the adjustment is long overdue, noting that student association and club fees have not been raised since 1998, and class dues have remained unchanged since 1994.
“Revenue from these fees supports a wide range of school-wide events, including student leadership initiatives, spirit activities, cultural celebrations, club operations, recognition and awards, competition expenses, and class bonding activities,” DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi wrote in a letter to the BOE. “Even with the proposed increase to $20, the cost equates to only two dollars per month — a modest contribution that will provide meaningful support for student activities.”
In addition to the BOE-approved fees, DOE plans to raise other fees that fall under the superintendent’s authority. Yearbooks would increase from $50 to $75, athletic activity tickets from $25 to $35, and basic caps and gowns from $25 to $125 — a fivefold jump. Newspaper fees would rise from $10 to $15.
DOE acknowledged that the increases may pose financial challenges for some families, particularly students who participate in multiple clubs or activities. However, principals report that schools already have systems to support students who cannot afford fees, including payment plans, work-to-earn opportunities, scholarships, and assistance from parent-teacher organizations. Students identified as experiencing housing instability under the federal McKinney-Vento Act automatically receive financial aid.
The proposal comes after the BOE Finance and Infrastructure Committee delayed action in January, requesting additional information. The last comprehensive review of student activity fees was conducted in 2011, but no increases were implemented at that time. If approved, the new limits would establish the maximum allowable charges, while individual schools would retain discretion to charge less or waive fees entirely.
Supporters argue that raising the caps is essential to sustaining student programs and reducing the reliance on constant fundraising.
Madison Green, a student body officer at Mililani High School, said the outdated fee limits have forced student councils to restrict events and work continuously to fundraise.
“Increasing the budget by even a few dollars per student would increase the capabilities of student councils and decrease the amount of fundraising councils need to be doing to make ends meet,” Green wrote in testimony. “Not only would a maximum increase benefit student councils but it would also allow for an overall enriched school experience for all students as the capabilities for school events would be greater with a larger budget.”
C. Michelle Hendryx, a yearbook teacher at Farrington High School, also testified that yearbook programs statewide often run deficits due to rising production costs and insufficient budget support. The basic cost to produce a single yearbook is about $70, excluding cameras, computers, design software and classroom supplies.
“The economic realities our students and their families face limit their ability to contribute significantly through fundraising or direct purchases,” Hendryx wrote.
The Farrington High School yearbook, first published with the school’s inaugural graduating class in 1939, stands as one of its longest-running traditions and a vital chronicle of the community’s history.
More than just preserving memories, Hendryx said the yearbook program equips students with practical skills in project management, collaboration, communication, budgeting and problem- solving — tools that serve them well beyond their high school years.
Hendryx urged DOE and BOE to raise the allowable cost of yearbooks or provide supplemental funding to ensure students can continue participating without compromising program quality or incurring deficits.
Former and current student leaders also voiced strong support for the increases.
Kyla Musso, a Radford High School graduate and former BOE student representative, testified that student programs are “not extras — they are essential.”
Musso highlighted that fees support leadership programs, cultural celebrations, clubs and mental health initiatives, all of which foster a sense of belonging and pride among students.
Leah Hawkins, junior class president at Kohala High School, said her small class of 38 students struggles to fund school events under current dues limits.
DOE officials emphasized that the proposed adjustments reflect inflation and rising costs of goods and services, ensuring that schools can continue offering a range of activities and experiences. Hayashi told the committee that the increases are meant to enhance student programs while keeping costs manageable — roughly equivalent to $2 per month per student for association fees.
The BOE Finance and Infrastructure Committee is expected to review the proposal in the coming months, with final approval determining the maximum fees schools can charge starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Source: The Garden Island
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