Board agrees to cover before-and-after care cost difference for preschool expansion for one year

The Clark Public Schools Board announced a one-year plan to cover the difference between the costs charged by external preschool partner sites for before- and aftercare and what in-district care would cost, after parents raised concerns about higher out-of-district fees. Superintendent Ed Grandy said the district will not cover the entire external fees but will "cover the difference to make the parents whole as if their children were placed in the school district" for one year. Administrators and board members described the preschool expansion as a five-year pilot. The district said it has jurisdiction over the preschool day from 9 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.; before- and aftercare arrangements are handled with partner sites. The board said it will work with partner sites, evaluate in-district facility capacity and build a longer-term model to reduce or eliminate the cost difference in future years. Public commenter Neha Marvania asked what would happen in the second year if outside providers still charge more; administrators said they will try to develop a model that brings families in-district when appropriate, or otherwise mitigate costs, and that specific reimbursement mechanics will be posted as a formal agenda item in September. Superintendent Grandy said the one-year reimbursement arrangement is intended as an interim measure while the district and partners work to align costs and facilities for subsequent years.