Board approves voluntary pre-K fee for out-of-district students and raises community-education fees

The Columbia Heights Public Schools board voted Tuesday to adopt a monthly fee for certain voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) slots and to increase community-education fees for childcare and early-learning classes.

Voluntary prekindergarten: District staff asked the board to approve a monthly fee of $345 for students attending the five-day AM or PM pre-K program who do not qualify for state VPK funding. Director Stonkel explained that the Minnesota Department of Education changed eligibility rules for VPK funding and that some enrolled children would no longer meet state qualifications; the board voted to permit district administration to determine VPK eligibility and to charge the $345 monthly fee for out-of-qualification slots. "For those students who do not qualify for any other qualifications … there would be a fee to cover the costs," Stonkel said during the action-item presentation. The board adopted the motion by voice vote; the clerk recorded that the motion carried after a voice vote and no roll-call tally was taken. Board members said only a handful of students are expected to be affected.

Community education fees: The board also approved an approximately 5 percent fee increase for Adventure Club and Mini Adventures childcare programs and for Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and Pre-K 3 classes, noting that community-education programs must cover their own operating costs and that ECFE/Pre-K 3 fees had not been raised in more than a decade. Director Stonkel presented the proposal and the board approved it by voice vote. Board members said academic program elements will remain fee-free while childcare and enrichment activities can carry modest fees.

Votes at a glance: - Voluntary prekindergarten fee: Motion to approve $345 monthly fee for students who do not meet VPK funding qualifications and to permit district-determined eligibility. Mover: Julie (board member). Second: Jessica (board member). Outcome: Approved (voice vote; motion carries). Notes: District staff said the number of affected students is very small; prior to VPK funding the district charged a fee (approximately $110) but VPK funding removed that fee; new fee applies only to slots without qualifying status. - Community education fee increase: Motion to approve ~5% increase for Adventure Club, Mini Adventures, ECFE and Pre-K 3 fees. Mover: Julie (board member). Second: Laura (board member). Outcome: Approved (voice vote; motion carries). Notes: Increase intended to maintain program self-sufficiency; academic elements remain fee-free.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes for either vote; both actions passed by voice vote. The motions and outcomes were recorded during the action-items portion of the board meeting.