Unpaid Fee Leaves Man Without Transcript or Job
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MARTIN, Tenn- A small debt for a band fee is causing one West Tennessee high school graduate to postpone his dreams of going to college and getting a job. Trevor Hayes was a member of the Honors Band at Westview High School in Martin, the same place he graduated from last year. After his mother had to leave work due to medical issues, he said he accumulated $324 in band debt. How the debt was incurred, he said he Is unsure; but now he is unable to receive his diploma. According to Weakley County School Board’s policy, grades, diplomas, or transcripts can be withheld if a student has unpaid debt. “If you’ve got the money, you should pay it; but if you’re like my family and you have no money and done all you can with the band, I think they should waive the fees,” said Trevor. Trevor said they are still trying to pay the fees and hopes he can one day attend college to study music. “I thought I would be at UTM, playing music everyday,” said Trevor. His mother, Donna Massey also added, “Music is his life and we’re not giving up on his dream.” Weakley County School Board officials, Jeff Kelley and Debbie Doster, reinforced the policy but said that the intent is never to damage a student’s ability to go to college or get a job. They also said Donna nor Trevor had reached out to them; and they look at each student on a case-by-case basis.
