Driver education students in District 428 may see fees increase up to $400 for the 2005-2006 school year.

The school board held a special meeting Tuesday and unanimously approved a motion to seek a waiver from the state to increase the fees.

“[This will] change the amount we can charge for driver education,” said Suzanne Lambrecht, school board vice president.

The Illinois State Board of Education sets the limit for driver education fees at $50, Superintendent Paul Beilfuss said. School districts can request the waiver if they want to increase fees.

“We have done some research and some of the surrounding school districts have applied for this waiver,” Beilfuss said.

The proposal the board considered allows fees to increase up to $400, Beilfuss said.

School Board President Tom Teresinski explained why the fee increase question came up now.

The early budget numbers show a shortfall of $1.9 million, Teresinski said. Last year, a shortfall of $3 million showed at first, but it was eventually balanced.

The board put off the waiver request until this year in order to ensure compliance with state regulations, he said.

Lambrecht questioned whether the district may be able to contract driver education out to a commercial provider.

The board discussed contracting about eight years ago, she said.

MeriAnn Besonen, assistant superintendent of business and finance, said the process was not easily done.

“It’s not as easy as this [fee waiver],” she said.

The approval of the waiver does not represent a final decision on the amount of the fee increase.

Between now and the time the budget is finalized, which is usually May, there will be opportunity for public input on the fee increases, Teresinski said.

Board member Andy Small raised concern about “economically challenged” students and their ability to absorb fee increases.

“If you’re a free lunch student you would receive a waived fee,” Besonen said.

The board will consider the amount of the fee increases at a later school board meeting.

The next school board meeting is Tuesday at the District 428 Education Center, 901 S. Fourth St.