The Beverly School Committee voted unanimously to raise the district’s annual preschool tuition to $5,500 for the 2025–26 school year.

Finance Director Emma Pugliese presented the recommendation to the committee, explaining the tuition change applies to peer (tuition‑paying) preschool students; students placed on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) do not pay. Pugliese said the last tuition increase took effect in fiscal year 2022 and described how the preschool revolving fund offsets staff costs.

Why it matters: the change increases district revenue available to the preschool program and, according to Pugliese, would allow the district to cover additional paraprofessional support if needed in FY26.

Pugliese presented survey data on neighboring districts and said the increase would “anticipate[] increase our revenues roughly $55,000,” which the administration expects could cover one paraprofessional for a full year or two paraprofessionals for a portion of the year depending on hiring timing and benefit elections. She also described the district’s fee‑reduction process: Beverly uses thresholds aligned with the National School Lunch Program to provide income‑based scholarship (fee‑reduction) support.

Program structure and proration: the district’s tuition figure applies to the full‑day, five‑day program; families choosing two‑ or three‑day schedules are billed a proportional share (two‑fifths or three‑fifths, respectively). The district also prorates tuition for rolling start dates if students begin after the academic year starts.

Committee discussion focused on clarity around proration, eligibility for fee reduction, and how increased revenues would be applied to staffing. Dr. Kenan McKenzie DeFranza (remote) praised the approach as a thoughtful way to expand pre‑K staffing and programming.

Ending: The vote passed 7–0. The district will publish the new rate and fee‑reduction guidance and implement the adjusted tuition for the 2025–26 preschool year.