Sharon School Committee keeps full‑day kindergarten fee at $3,635 after hours of debate

The Sharon School Committee voted 6–1 on Jan. 8 to retain the district’s full‑day kindergarten tuition at $3,635 for the 2025–26 school year.

The decision followed more than an hour of committee discussion about whether to eliminate or reduce the fee amid a budget shortfall. Committee members framed the choice as one between preserving personnel and services the district has already proposed to restore and reducing the fee for about 159 full‑tuition families who currently pay for kindergarten.

“We’ve seen the cuts,” School Committee member Adam said during the debate. “Every single dollar that we affect this fee by this year is a dollar more of important services and cuts that our children need.”

School leaders told the committee they expect revolving‑fund tuition receipts to total about $600,000 and that those receipts offset portions of kindergarten staff salaries (administration estimated that roughly 47 percent of the kindergarten salaries are paid with tuition revenue). Superintendent Peter (last name not specified in the meeting record) said the administration hoped the committee would decide so registration on Feb. 1 could proceed with clear cost information for families.

Members who supported keeping the fee said making a change now would require reversing commitments already made in the current budget‑setting process and likely lead to cuts to special education funding, administrative positions or classroom staff. “I don’t think we can make that change this year,” School Committee member Adam said. Several colleagues agreed that removing the fee without a fully developed replacement funding plan would force painful tradeoffs.

A smaller group of members pushed to prioritize elimination of the fee now or to vote to set a future date for removal. “I consider kindergarten a core service,” School Committee member Dan said. “I want to identify this now as a core service that we are prioritizing and enter the budget discussion with that prioritized.” Dan voted against retaining the fee; all other members voted yes.

The motion to accept the administration’s recommendation and retain the $3,635 fee passed 6–1 by roll call.

Votes at a glance: The committee recorded a roll call on the motion to retain the kindergarten fee: Avi — yes; Allen — yes; Adam — yes; Shauna — yes; Dan — no; Jeremy — yes; Julie (chair) — yes.

What the vote means: The administration will open kindergarten registration Feb. 1 with the $3,635 fee in place, including reduced and free options tied to free/reduced‑price lunch eligibility and scholarship or payment‑plan options. Administration said families can apply for fee assistance and that some scholarships are available.

Budget context and next steps: Committee members asked administration to continue working on multi‑year options and to explore a formal motion or timeline that could bind a future committee to eliminate the fee at a later date. Several members urged early and transparent communication to families about the budget tradeoffs tied to any change in the fee.

Sources: Discussion and roll call recorded at the Sharon School Committee meeting, Jan. 8, 2025.