Driver Education fees will increase this fall at Community High School District 94, but they'll still be lower than those of private firms and some other school districts. At its July 15, 2003 meeting, the Community High School District 94 Board of Education formally voted to increase the driver education fee for behind-the-wheel instruction from $50 to $200.

The fee increase had been sought to help offset the cost of the program, which is one of the most expensive the District is required to offer. The increase in staff costs required for the intensive one-to-one instruction was the driving factor behind the decision. The Board had voted in November 2002 to seek a waiver from the State Board of Education to increase the fees. Approval was granted in May.

Students had been notified in their registration packets that the cost might be increased to up to $200 if the waiver was approved. "We needed to increase the fee to cover program costs," said Assistant Superintendent for Business Gary Grizaffi, "but the Board tried to balance their fiscal responsibility with sensitivity to the needs of our students' families."