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Board approves paid pre-K classroom at Early Learning Center to expand options for 4-year-olds
Summary
The Ashe County Schools Board authorized district staff to pursue opening a paid pre-K classroom at the Early Learning Center, with fees likely to range from about $600 to $850 per child to reach break-even; the board voted to move forward with inspections and outreach to families.
The Ashe County Schools Board of Education voted to pursue opening a paid pre-kindergarten classroom at the district's Early Learning Center, with staff authorized to begin inspections, outreach and grant applications that could subsidize fees for families.
The move responds to persistent local demand for pre-K slots. During the Jan. 13 meeting, district leaders said the classroom would initially be paid rather than fully subsidized and that, depending on operating costs, the district would likely need to charge between $600 and $850 per child to break even if no outside subsidy is available.
District leaders said the Early Learning Center already has the physical space and that the classroom could open quickly if state inspections and staffing fall into place. "It could happen the inspections could happen in a week because they're already waiting for my phone call," an early-learning staff member said, noting hiring timelines and required inspections.
Superintendent Dr. Cox described the district's long-term goal to offer pre-K options to every family who wants them, and emphasized that the paid classroom is intended as an interim step while the district secures grant support. "We would like permission to pursue this, get information to families on what we're hoping to do, and be able to start the process of getting that space inspected formally so that when we have the funds come available to us ... we'd like to be able to move pretty quickly," Dr. Cox said.
Board members asked how children would be prioritized if demand exceeds the initial 18 seats, and staff said they would use the state NC Pre-K point system — a rubric that ranks applicants by income, disability status, Title I eligibility and other factors — to integrate students who qualify for state-supported pre-K alongside paid enrollees.
Staff also said a grant is under consideration that could fill the subsidy gap so that families would not need to pay the full $850 rate the district estimated is required to break even. If that funding is not available, the district said it would develop a sliding scale to reduce cost for families who qualify.
The board made a motion and seconded it during the meeting; after members voted in favor, the chair announced the motion carried. Staff said they expect to return to the board with the formal plan and enrollment details at the next meeting once inspections and posting/hiring steps advance.
The board's action authorizes the district to proceed with inspections, family outreach and pursuit of grant funding; it does not finalize a tuition schedule or a start date until those steps are complete.
