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Who says that public education is free? Look where we are living. There is nothing free in the United States. And the No Child Left Behind policy? Please. We parents are left behind when we are not informed about school fees until the first day of school.

However, I'm appalled that some people are complaining that school fees are illegal ("Parents: School fees are illegal," Aug. 27 article). What is illegal? It's illegal for teachers to have to use their hard-earned money and receive nothing in return. It's illegal for teachers not to get paid all year round for not only trying to teach but for being a social worker, "mother" to some, disciplinarian, etc.

It's illegal for the school system to ignore parents that are trying to make a positive difference. It's illegal for some principals not to support their staff when it comes to disrespectful students taunting their teachers.

Being a single mother of two sons and living on a low-income budget, I questioned certain class fees. My major complaint and suggestion is for the school system to give all incoming ninth graders a school supply list on or before the last day of school in the eighth grade. Staples supplies a basic list for high school, but I received no such support from the high school office. If Staples can supply a basic list, then the school system can do better.

Also, how hard is it to propose an "estimate" amount of what each class fee would be for each year?

If I sacrifice to pay all of my sons' fees on a low budget, then so can others. We all need help sometimes, but there are those that abuse the system. If your child can sport the high fashion in clothes, then why complain about the tools they need for their education?

Faith D. Payton, Germantown