Board delays Little Flyers rate increase, asks for more financial data

The Little Falls school board voted Aug. 11 to delay a proposed rate increase and any multi‑child discount for the district’s Little Flyers childcare program until March, when administrators will present a fuller financial analysis.

Kayla Ruber, who presented the rate study from First Children’s Finance, told the board the program’s initial rates (set when the center opened in March) were $200 for infants, $180 for toddlers and $160 for preschool. Ruber said the consultant recommended moving toward rates near the 50th–75th percentile of local providers and proposed an immediate $20 increase and a second $20 increase at the one‑year mark; she also raised the idea of a 10% multi‑child discount for additional children on the same account.

Board members and Ruber discussed enrollment and staffing constraints. Ruber said enrollment had grown quickly and that the program expects to be over 75% capacity in September; she also said staffing availability limits the number of additional openings the center can serve. The board heard that the program is participating in a Parent Aware cohort and that the center had not yet received full CCAP (county childcare assistance) rate information when the initial rates were set.

Several board members expressed concern about raising rates only six months after opening and about the equity implications for families who recently signed contracts. After discussion, a motion carried to postpone any rate increase and the multi‑child discount until administrators can present updated financials in March. The board agreed to renew current six‑month family contracts in September and return with a data‑driven proposal.