Months after a B.C. Supreme Court decision on school fees, school boards and parents are still debating what schools can charge students for, and what should be covered by the school.

The court ruling decided many fees being charged for classes are illegal, and even lawyers offering advice to the schools are uncertain of the implications.

Lawyer Wendy Harris told a public meeting in East Vancouver Wednesday night that some fees will have to go, including any required to complete a course.

But Harris told the parents at John Oliver Secondary that fees for musical instruments, shop tools, field trips, outdoor programs and sports academies could all be restructured to avoid breaking the law.

Poorer students will lose out

Julianne Doctor, the chair of the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Committee, said despite the court's intention to bring equality to the classroom, ultimately it's the poorest students who may be hurt.

"We know darn well that parents who can afford to, will get their kids enrichment outside the school system and parents who cannot afford to, they're going to lose out."

Susan Drennan, who has two children in school, agrees that parents with money will pay to get their children into after-school classes.

"My guess is that there will be an explosion of after-school music programs, and the people who have money will pay the extra money to put their kids in band after school, and the kids who don't will end up with less than what they have now.

Many at the meeting said they hope the government will step in and amend the School Act. But time is running out.

School boards have until April to draw up their budgets for next year.