Cda District Raises Fee For Driver’S Education

Coeur d’Alene School District students who take driver’s education will pay almost $100 for the course.

The district’s board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to raise the cost of the elective course 26 percent - from $75 to $95 - to cover rising vehicle maintenance costs and instructional material fees.

Also contributing to the increase is the rising cost of leasing the car used for the program. The district also would like to raise the salary of the full-time instructor who teaches the course.

“The full-time employee has not had a raise in pay in 10 years,” said Judy Drake, director of staff relations and community resources.

About 60 percent of the district’s 15-year-olds take the course, which can help reduce students’ auto insurance premiums. Last year, 440 students took driver’s education in the district.

Board member Herb Cheeley pointed out that private driving instructors charge between $200 and $300, making the district’s fees a bargain. The district also offers scholarships to some students who cannot afford the course fee, Drake said.

“We would continue to do that,” she said.

Ultimately, the district would like the course to be self-supporting through the student fees. However, the class still is partially subsidized by the district, said Steve Briggs, district business manager.