Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Childhood Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marion board approves new preschool tuition model, sets $100 monthly fee for non‑eligible families
Summary
The Marion City Schools Board on Dec. 16 approved a revised preschool tuition model for the 2025–26 school year that makes preschool free for families who qualify under the Early Childhood Education (ECE) grant and sets a $100 monthly fee for families above 200% of the federal poverty guideline.
The Marion City Schools Board of Education on Dec. 16 voted to adopt a new preschool tuition structure for the 2025–26 school year that will make preschool free for children who qualify under the district’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) grant and charge non‑eligible families $100 per month.
Superintendent Jeff Murphy told the board the move is meant to address an operating shortfall in the district’s preschool program. "We operate mostly under the early childhood education grant," a preschool presenter told the board, and the district currently faces an estimated operating loss of about $45,000 for the coming year if no changes are made.
The district's presenter, Miss Sheridan (preschool staff member), explained how ECE eligibility is determined and who the change affects: "What my hope is by doing this model ... it will actually make preschool free for those students who are ECE eligible." Under the ECE rules Sheridan described, families at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline qualify; Sheridan gave the example that a family of four earning about $62,000 would be near that threshold this year.
Under the current annual fee structure, families pay one of three flat annual fees ($40, $60 or $180). The board-approved change replaces that with a monthly fee of $100 for families who are not ECE‑eligible. District staff said that even with the change, Marion’s preschool charges would remain at or below comparable local public programs (presented comparators included Bucyrus at $110/month and Pleasant at up to $360/month).
Board members asked whether the fee could reduce enrollment. Murphy and Sheridan said the district will monitor enrollment and stated willingness to revisit the fee if it drives families away. Sheridan also said the program will continue to accommodate families who cannot pay immediately and that staff will work with families on payment plans.
The board voted on the recommendation to adopt the new tuition model; the roll call recorded all members present voting yes (Missus Dyer: yes; Mister Guyer: yes; Miss Longer: yes; Mister Weidling: yes). The superintendent said the district will publish an enrollment notice and a letter to families in mid‑January with details about eligibility and the enrollment process.
Why it matters: District officials said the change is designed to shore up preschool funding, improve program quality (including materials and staffing), and keep Marion’s fees competitive with neighboring districts while preserving free preschool for families with the greatest financial need.
Clarifying details: district staff estimated an operating shortfall of roughly $45,000 for the preschool program in the coming year; current top annual family payment is $180 per year under the existing structure; the new proposal sets non‑eligible family cost at $100 per month; ECE eligibility described as families at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline (Sheridan gave $62,000 for a family of four as the illustrative threshold).
