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Board hears plan to use Scholarship Granting Organization to offset all-day kindergarten tuition
Summary
District leaders described a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) fundraising plan that would allow Ohio taxpayers to redirect up to $750 per individual ($1,500 for joint filers) in state tax credits to the district to subsidize all-day kindergarten tuition; the board discussed outreach but did not vote on a policy change.
Three Rivers district leaders on Feb. 11 described a plan to use a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) to collect redirected state income-tax credits to fund scholarships that would offset tuition for all-day kindergarten.
Dr. Ault (Superintendent) said the SGO allows any Ohio taxpayer to designate the Three Rivers SGO when they file state taxes; an individual donor may contribute up to $750 and a joint filer up to $1,500. The district intends to use SGO dollars specifically to offset tuition for full-day kindergarten, a program the district is allowed by state law to charge tuition for.
Officials said donors need not live in the Three Rivers district; they only must pay Ohio state income tax. Staff cautioned donors to write a check for an amount they will owe in state taxes; if a donor pays less than the maximum, smaller contributions still qualify. A district official noted one local individual planned to trial a $50 gift this year.
Board members discussed outreach plans: staff said they will promote the SGO at the high school scheduling fair in March and at the boosters’ reverse raffle, and that the SGO program can accept designated donations up until tax filing (around April 15). The board emphasized the goal of using SGO proceeds to reduce or eliminate kindergarten tuition costs for families.
No board action to change tuition policy was taken at the meeting; the SGO description was presented as an information item for recruitment and outreach. The district said it hopes to begin using SGO funds this year to offset kindergarten tuition if sufficient donations are raised.
The SGO proposal was presented alongside other district outreach items planned for March events.
