Really? Parents want to sue for a few charges? I bet the lawsuit costs are higher than the costs of the gym uniform, student planner and books. I'm sure there were reasons why these items were deemed essential for the success of the children in school. We all have incidental costs for whatever activities we are a part of. It's life. Does this mean its a good example to the community, or most importantly our children, by suing when we don't get our way?

I totally agree with you Cheryl!!

waste of money - back in 66' we bought our own gym uniforms - nasty, blue one-piece thing. I personally don't thing athletic training is a responsibility of a school - but should be readin, writtin and rithmatic.

I can not believe these people are suing the district over gym clothes, a planner and a lock! It makes me want to sue them for waisting district money on defending itself in court ! I have a child at Derby and I will not be joining any ridiculous wasteful class action law suit! GET A LIFE!!!!!!

agree with B - like the rents suing for the arrest of the kid with a gun - what is this world coming to?

Totally agree with Cheryl Sellers - btw, I have three kids who went to Derby, one currently there and one will be there next year. I have purchased more gym lockers, planners and gym uniforms than I care to admit, but I have NEVER gotten angry about having to make these purchases.

My son plays sports at Seaholm. I write many, many checks to cover the associated fees. It's part of life. What of waste of not only the Kelly's time, but the district's, the fabulous staff at Derby, and frankly, mine for having to read this ridiculous story.

there is more to this story. It is assumed the family is tired of paying thousand of thier own money for private tutoring or possibly their ire at seeing hundreds of thousands of dollars of technology sit idle collecting dust. All the while the school district markets their incredible achievement but no credit to what the parents do to supplement that which is used for their marketing. I doubt any family would sue of this one small thing. There is more frustration than this story is telling. If it was not a valid claim an attorney would not take it.

So if parents are funding items that the district should be paying for, based on the Michigan Department of Education, State Board of Education Position Statement on Free Textbooks, Materials and the Charging of Fees, then where is this money going? It is thousands of dollars over many years. Has it been benefiting the students? How do we know? Where is the transparency?

I don't think that the lawsuit is about $40. It is the principle of the matter. There are students who don't need to use a planner or need a different format. They should not have to buy one just to get the school guidelines. Also why do gym clothes have to be the same color?

If this is something Derby did and they are found legally responsible, I hope that all moneys paid to parents and/or lawyers comes from Derby's budget. It is not fair for the other schools in the district to spend their money to rectify this error.

Agree with supersusan. BPS just sent 30 staff members to some character conference for four days. Wonder what that cost? Has anyone looked at our AP proficiency scores? I spend thousand on tutoring.

This is simply shameful that John & Lori Kelly would sue such a wonderful school! We are proud of Derby Middle School for the A+ curriculum that they provide to our children. TheTroy Residents (Kelly's) are so fortunate to have the Birmingham Schools, they probably live in those small homes by the railroad tracks. We want to keep our taxes reasonable, so I and my neighbors have no problem with chipping in to help the schools. In this poor economy everyone has to do their share to co-exist with others. They are running up a legal bill and as part of their lawsuit sticking it to the School, simply dispicable! Shame, shame,shame! Drop the suit.

We had to pay several hundred dollars in Wisconsin per child to attend public school. There were lock fees for gym and their basic locker, assignment notebook fee, gym clothes fee, book fees, etc. My son couldn't be in basketball this year because it costs four hundred dollars for a child to play in seventh grade. I am happy to see someone standing up to these fees. It is the principle of the matter. If you do not pay the fees, your children cannot attend school. There are many low income families who's children drop out of school because they can't afford to send them to public school.

As a Derby alumi I can say that they are on the right track. That school is trash, all you parents may think Derby is a top notch school but its not, the kids are mean, teachers are incompetent, and the the janitorial staff is creepy. Sue them for all the money, 3 years of gym clothes, locks, and planners add up. Not everyone can afford to be so frivolous. And the fact that we all have to wear the same thing to gym is stupid it severs no purpose, the clothes are uncomfortable and that retched gray top shows sweat like nothing else, Derby's had this coming for a while and it's about time karma got around to them.

Derby & Berkshire are in direct violation if the law, and the policy needs to be changed. It appears that the school took no action, so the suit was filed. The Kelly's are brave enough to challenge the system. Good for them, and shame on the schools for taking advantage of our more affluent population. Also, what about BCS? I don't think they charge anything. So you also have to consider inequity between the 3 Birmingham middle schools as well.

Birmingham schools were official made aware of the additional illegal mandatory fees over two years ago. Some schools [Seaholm for example] fixed the problem by making fees voluntary. Derby administration refused to make changes and would not issue refunds. Derby School administration caused this lawsuit by ignoring the wishes of parents and the Law.