• CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
    PARENT RESOURCES
  • TEXTBOOK FEE INFORMATION
    Center Grove students are charged textbook fees each school year. Fees range up to $800.00, depending on the courses scheduled with an average cost of $300, including an iPad. Statements for high school students will be posted in Skyward in mid-September. 

    Textbook Payment Arrangement
    If you are unable to pay your textbook fee in full, you are encouraged to make arrangements with your child's school by early September. Please contact your child's school secretary/treasurer for a payment plan application. 

    iPad Information
    Students in grades 6-12 will be issued an iPad to rent from the school. They also have the option to use their own device. Click here for more information about the Mobile Minds 1:1 program.

    Free Textbook Rental
    Applications for free or reduced text book rental fees are available online via Skyward Family Access in the Food Service Module and at this link. Applications need to be submitted as soon as possible to receive benefits. 

    Online Payments
    Online payments for textbook rental will be available online via Skyward Family Access/E-Funds (credit card – 2.85% per $100 or ACH $1.25) for K-5th grade in July, 6-8th grade mid-August, and high school students beginning in mid-September. You may make lunch account payments online via the eFunds prepayment system. Click here for instructions.

     

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    When are my student's textbook fees due?
    Textbook rental fees are due as soon as you receive your student's statement.

    What should I do if I cannot afford to pay my student's textbook fees?
    Families are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch application available in the Food Service Module in Skyward and at this link. Applications must be submitted in early September. Families who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch also qualify for Free and Reduced Textbook Fees. Every student, who does not receive a direct certification letter, needs to complete an application every school year. 
     
    If your family does not qualify for free or reduced textbooks and you are still struggling with the costs, please notify the treasurer or secretary at your building. Payment plans can be established to spread the cost out over the year. Please contact your child's school secretary/treasurer for a payment plan application. 

    What happens if my student lost or damaged a textbook or iPad?
    If you child loses or their textbook is damaged you will be charged the full replacement price of the book (regardless of your free and reduced status).

    For lost or damaged iPads please click here for the Mobile Minds Frequently Asked Questions document.

    How will I be notified if I have unpaid textbook fees?
    You will be given a statement and a reminder from your child's school for your fees. If your fees are not paid by the date given, you could be turned over to collections. Please note that a $10 collections fee will be added to unpaid accounts. For past due accounts, please contact our collection agency. Click here for more information.

    What happens if my check is returned?
    In order to recover these funds in a private and professional manner, we have contracted with CHECKredi, LLC, a company based in Lexington, Kentucky for collection of returned checks. Click here for more information.

    What is the law regarding textbook fees?
    The Textbook Rental Fee is established within the Indiana Code (IC 20-26-12). Like the vast majority of school districts in our State, Center Grove Community Schools choose to use this funding mechanism instead of utilizing General Fund dollars. Center Grove Community Schools believe our students are best served by using the General Fund to pay for hiring teachers and providing instructional support.

    How does Center Grove select textbooks and other classroom materials?
    A committee of teachers, administrators and parents review possible materials for the current adoption year and make recommendations. The curriculum department reviews the recommendations and takes a final recommendation to the School Board for approval. Parents who wish to participate in the current adoption selection should let their building principal know early in the school year.

    What materials are included in my textbook rental fees?
    Materials included depends on the grade level or course the students are in. Kindergarten materials include consumable materials such as crayons, glue, paint, etc. Elementary fees also include workbooks, digital materials, headphones, music materials and a technology fee.  The technology fee offsets some of the cost of the computers which are used in each classroom in a 1:1 setting. In grades 3-5, the technology fee supports Chromebook costs.

    Middle school fees include textbook rental, digital materials, workbooks and consumable fees as well as fees for specific music or Unified Arts courses.

    High school fees include textbook rental, workbooks, digital materials, workbooks, consumable materials for specific classes, music, instrument rental, etc. Students who take specialized courses for college credit generally pay the cost of the college book through the college as these are not adopted on a six-year cycle.

    Why aren’t all materials digital?
    Changing from all print over to digital materials takes time. Books are adopted on a six-year cycle. As materials “cycle off”, the committees look at the materials in digital format and those in print format and select the materials that best meet the needs of the class. In some instances materials may only be available in one format or may only be developmentally appropriate in a specific format. Just like at adult jobs, not everything is print or digital and students need to be adept at using materials in a variety of formats.

    Why aren’t all materials print?
    Teachers, parents and administrators  look at the materials in digital format and those in print format and select the materials that best meet the needs of the class. In some instances materials may only be available in one format or may only be developmentally appropriate in a specific format. Just like at adult jobs, not everything is print or digital and students need to be adept at using materials in a variety of formats. Preparing students for their future requires us to provide access to learning materials in many formats.

    Why are iPads not reducing the costs of other textbooks?
    iPads are assistive technology that allow students to access materials. In some instances such as accessing free material from the web, iPads may be reducing costs.  However, when digital materials such as digital textbooks are purchased, those become fees for students. It is hard to draw a clear line of what costs are reduced and what costs are just transferred. Each group works diligently to provide the best materials for our students so that the courses and the skills they learn are top-quality. Click here for more information about the Mobile Minds 1:1 iPad program.

    Why are costs higher each year?
    As new materials are adopted they replace materials that were purchased six years prior. As with almost everything, costs rise over time. Replacing materials with others that are six years newer generally costs more. Committee members review prior costs, look at costs of possible new materials and make selections that balance the best academic materials with those that are acceptably priced.