At a recent budget meeting Hala and myself were advised that due to the change over to Tech1 from eschool finance systems that we were in error in collecting the P&F levy and handing it over to the P&F. Apparently there are a couple of issues with this process. First the handing over of the money only to have it given back to us as a donation later in the year is seen as double income so we look as if we are overstating our income, which causes our Auditors a great deal of grief!
The next error is attaching this optional levy to our school fees notices. Apparently once a levy is added to our fees and collected as fees it can not be optional nor can it leave our accounts without having a purpose eg purchasing furniture, building improvements or resources for classrooms.
So moving forward for 2020 we will no longer be charging a P&F levy as a part of our fees collection. I have explained this fully at the P&F meeting as you have probably noticed from the minutes from the AGM in week 4.
I understand that this will be disappointing for some families and I know that our P&F committee have had to make adjustments to their fundraising promises re the construction of playground equipment.
Just to be clear this is not information that I have deliberately kept a secret, it is information that has only just come to light recently as we budget for 2020.
Furthermore, a decision was made by CEDP not the school to absorb the School Family levy into the Resource Fee. This means that families with more than one child will be paying more. A one off special consideration could be given to families who are affected, and request financial assistance.
