Milford board debates tuition-free full-day kindergarten for 2025–26; no vote yet

The Milford Exempted Village School District board on Wednesday discussed a proposal from Superintendent Spicer to offer tuition-free, full-day kindergarten for the 2025–26 school year but took no formal vote.

Board President Mrs. Mason opened the public discussion by saying the proposal had been a district vision for more than two years and that the board wanted to hear how the program could be financially viable before deciding. "It's been a vision, for over 2 years to offer all day kindergarten for all students," Superintendent Spicer said, describing an internal review of enrollment and staffing that suggested the district could expand without hiring new teachers.

Why it matters: District officials said the move could boost early literacy and enrollment at a moment when state funding rules and local enrollment trends place pressure on the district's budget. Treasurer Ackerman told the board that enrollment has fallen in recent years and that the district is operating with limited margins; he said changing full- versus half-day kindergarten status affects how the state counts students for funding and could help stabilize average daily membership (ADM).

Superintendent Spicer and staff presented the…