SAN DIEGO -- While many parents scramble to buy last-minute school supplies for their children, 10News uncovered a little-known law that is making it illegal to charge mandatory fees at public schools, and why some school districts might be breaking that law.

Serra Mesa resident Chantel O'Doherty is a mother of three, and she always expects to spend money when school starts. Her children come home with a long list of items to buy.

"They're asking for too much from your average family home," said O'Doherty.

The pencils, paper and pens don't bother her, but when her daughter needed a $500 camera for her photography class, O'Doherty said her jaw dropped and she could not afford it.

"It's outrageous," said O'Doherty.

She said her daughter's high school offered to lend her a camera but said having her own meant getting a good grade.

"Within a week of me being in the class they said, 'If you can't get a camera you can't be in this class,'" said O'Doherty's daughter, Marlee.

O'Doherty's other daughters wanted to join cheerleading, but high costs presented a problem.

Ramona attorney Gary Kreep has won several cases with parents in similar situations, and he told 10News, "They know they can't do it but they do it."

When asked why schools do it, Kreep replied, "They hope they don't get caught."

Several California school districts, including Escondido, were sued for requiring kids to pay for extracurricular activities.

Kreep said even though the courts have ruled against the schools the practice is widespread.

"What they cannot do is tell you that your child cannot be in a curricular or extracurricular class activity unless you pay money for it; they cannot do it, period," said Kreep.

A 1984 State Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the state's guarantee of a free education means just that.

For parents who find themselves in situations similar to O'Doherty's, Kreep recommends asking for the charges in writing from the school. Also, he said parents should ask for a written response for what would happen if the charges aren't paid. If parents are called in for a meeting with school officials to discuss the issue, Kreep advised parents to record the meeting and to tell school officials that the meeting is being recorded.

10News' calls to the San Diego Unified School District's legal department were not returned.