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Board rescinds Bridal Adventures pre-K fee; board discusses sliding scale options
Summary
The board voted to rescind its prior action enacting a fee for Bridal Adventures pre-K. Staff reported 72 four‑year‑olds are eligible, 55 qualify for NC Pre-K funding, and six families would not qualify; staff presented sliding-scale options estimated to bring $20,000–$32,700 depending on option.
The Swain County Board of Education voted to rescind a prior decision that had enacted a fee for students at the district’s Bridal Adventures pre-K program.
Staff reported enrollment and eligibility numbers: 72 four‑year‑olds were eligible for enrollment, 55 of those qualify for NC Pre‑K funds, and the remaining families include some who would not qualify for NC Pre‑K. Staff said six families who would not qualify would generate roughly $32,700 under last year’s fee schedule; staff also presented sliding-scale options (examples of $300/$450/$600 tiers) that would produce roughly $20,000–$23,000 depending on the scale used.
The nut graf: board members balanced the program’s limited revenue from charging a small number of families against the district’s mission and the hardship of charging families; after discussion the board unanimously rescinded the fee and directed staff to proceed without the fee for the upcoming year, returning the program closer to prior practice.
Board members emphasized the educational and community value of the pre‑K program and noted that district staff had previously elected not to charge employees the fee. Several board members supported a sliding-scale option in principle but concluded that rescinding the fee and preserving access was the better path for the district at this time.
Ending: Staff will continue enrollment and subsidy work, and the board’s rescission restores the program’s prior fee structure for the upcoming school year.
