FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): An online petition criticizing a recent fee increase from East Allen County Schools is gaining some visibility.

Back in May, the school district raised the technology fee for students in Grade 7 and up from $30 to a little over $131, due to the district adding an “Apple Care” warranty package to each of the iPads students rent.

The News-Sentinel reports that the petition, which has nearly 500 signatures, claims the district raise the fee without communicating with parents or giving them a choice, while the district argues it gave parents several notices of the impending hike in the months leading up to it, including information given out during registration.

The district says the additional cost is a necessity since the iPads have been wearing out and being damaged faster than expected.