School Committee Ready For Earful On Band Fee

The Norfolk School Com­mittee has scheduled an agenda item next week just to listen to comments about the new $250-per student band fee for students at Freeman-Centennial School.

The School Committee voted Wednesday, June 2 to implement the band fee, part of a package of fee increases and cost savings to try to close a projected budget deficitthat could otherwise lead to teacher layoffs. Freeman-Centennial School has no band fee currently. The school charged a much smaller fee, $50 per student, from 2002 to 2005, according to School Committee chairman Shawn Dooley. The band fee has drawn firein some quarters. The School Committee meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 16 in Room 214 of Norfolk Town Hall at One Liberty Lane in Norfolk Center.