Parents of children at Abbotsford School were angry to discover a photocopying and paper fee they had been charged was actually a voluntary donation.
One mother, who did not want to be named, said parents were "hounded" for the fee through letters and notices.
She said they were encouraged to buy their stationery through the school at discounted prices and a photocopying and paper fee was included in the total price.
"You automatically had to pay it if you got your books through them."
This year, she bought her children's stationery from a retailer and was chased for the "outstanding paper fees".
Parents believed they had to pay the fee and were "angry" to know it was not a legitimate fee.
"We want our money back but don't want our kids penalised."
She did not believe the school charged the fee for financial reasons.
"I know for a fact that this school is not struggling.
"I think they thought they could go a sly one on the parents.
"We do so much fundraising for that school and we don't know where it all goes."
Another parent said the fee had always been part of stationery charges and parents were "instructed to pay it".
She said the fee was $15 for one child and $25 for two.
"I would have assumed, being a public school, it would have been paid for by the ministry."
When other fees were charged she would "definitely be questioning them".
She believed many parents would not pay a paper fee next year.
"Full disclosure would be a good thing," she said.
Board of Trustees chairman Paul Barron said he preferred if parents brought their concerns directly to him and would not comment further.
