Glen Rock board approves $8,500 first‑year pre‑K tuition, $75 application fee for general‑education seats

The Glen Rock Public School District board voted to set full‑day pre‑K tuition for general‑education (Gen Ed) students at $8,500 for the program's first year, and to charge a $75 nonrefundable application fee. Miss Parlamas moved the adjustment to the published G4 item; Mr. Hayward seconded. After discussion and an informal poll of trustees, the board approved the rate by roll call.

Board members discussed price comparisons with local providers and the district’s existing community school. Miss Parlamas said she reviewed area programs and supported a tuition "in line with the Glenrock Community School" and indicated a range around $9,000–$9,500 was common; several trustees said a first‑year discount would help attract students. "I think for us, that's part of the goal here," one trustee said in support of a modest initial discount to help fill seats. Trustees also discussed registration logistics and recommended a registration period similar to kindergarten rather than a first‑come, first‑served online rush.

District staff said the initial operational goal is to enroll 10 Gen Ed students for the first year. The district clarified that pre‑K placements for special‑education (special K) students will continue to be provided at no charge for eligible district students; out‑of‑district enrollments are handled under regular out‑of‑district tuition rules. The administration said registration procedures will mirror the kindergarten process, including an application period and numbering of applications by timestamp.

Motion and vote: The board recorded a roll call after the discussion. The final tally for the G items roll call that included the tuition adjustment showed the following votes: Miss Carusella — yes; Mr. Cohen — yes (abstained on G1 only); Mr. Corey — yes; Mr. Hayward — yes; Miss Parlamas — yes; Miss Rundell — yes; Miss Stevenson — yes; Miss Calvez — yes; Doctor Robinson — yes. The board declared the motion passed and directed administration to proceed with public outreach and the registration timeline.

Board members asked administration to provide clear materials to parents, to align pre‑K publicity with kindergarten registration timing, and to confirm that the $75 application fee is intended to limit noncommitted applicants and to cover processing work. The district will bring the tuition back for annual approval in future years per routine budget and tuition setting procedures.