One would think that the money from the North Carolina Education Lottery would take care of some of these so-called fees that school board members have approved for the 2007-2008 school year. I have a lot of questions as to how people can charge these prices. When did a lock cost $10? Why can students not just wear a pair of shorts and a shirt for gym? And to take some classes, you have to pay … like the art courses are $25. The list goes on.

I thought this was public school, but it sounds like college.

Do taxpayers not give the school systems enough that we have to dig deeper into our already empty pockets? We are not treated like people but more like dollar bill signs to be at their call 24-7. I, for one, am a single parent trying to send my child through school, and it’s hard to provide when these people keep wanting more.

The graduation cap and gown fee is way too high now. I mean, you only use it one time.

Senior pictures and year books are other items that are way too high. Why do all these things have to cost so much?

We, the parents in Rowan County, are not rich people. But a few handful think they are, and they might afford these prices. The rest of us will have to do without or take out a loan.

We are being treated unfairly. We are not dollar bill signs. When will the cry for money stop?

— Thomas Vanderburg

Salisbury