SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Unified School District has adopted new guidelines after a 10News story in September questioned the legality of fees for specialized classes and activities.

Teachers now have strict rules to follow when it comes to requiring students to buy supplies, 10News learned.

"It's a matter of the state constitution; if you got a class then, you provide the materials," said school board member John DeBeck.

On Thursday, SD Unified distributed new guidelines regarding student fees after 10News exposed possible violations by the school district.

The California Constitution mandates public education be provided free of charge, which means no parent or student should be required to pay for supplies to join a class or activity like cheerleading, music or a photography class.

"The district is owning up to the fact that there are illegal fees being charged out there and they're not waiting until there is a class action lawsuit; they're stepping up," said parent Sally Smith, who has spearheaded the effort to change the guidelines.

Under the guidelines, classes can't require students to buy any supplies. DeBeck said school administrators have ignored the law for years.

"It was common knowledge all the 36 years I was teaching. It basically, I think, has fallen through the cracks," said DeBeck.

Several California school districts, including Escondido, were sued for requiring kids to pay for extracurricular activities. Considering the district is facing a $250 million deficit, some parents fear the law may force the district to eliminate programs.

"The solution is parents have to donate money as a group to a fund and not tie it to their own child's participation," said DeBeck.

However, Smith said public education should be free.

"It's up to the San Diego School Board to find the money to fund them; it's the law," Smith said.