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Board approves raising extended-day pilot fee to $75 to make program self-sustaining
Summary
Board approved a one-time increase of the extended-day pilot fee from $50 to $75 per week, citing low initial enrollment and the need to cover program costs; presenters said subsidies and monitoring will support participation.
The Rockingham County Board of Education voted to raise the weekly fee for an extended-day pilot program from $50 to $75 to help make the service financially sustainable, presenters told the board.
Doctor Corcoran and Miss Jumper said the district initially expected 12–15 pilot enrollees but had about nine applicants at the time of the meeting. They said the Head Start operational funds would not cover the additional costs of extended-day hours and that district staff consulted with finance and local program managers in setting the $75 weekly fee.
Presenters said they spoke with a nearby program charging $60 and explained that Rockingham’s younger children and lower staff-to-child ratios increase per-child costs. They also told the board that families eligible for Department of Social Services (DSS) subsidies should apply; presenters said DSS typically reimburses at a higher recommended rate but will only pay the amount the district charges, meaning DSS would pay the $75 not the higher benchmark cited for star-rating guidance.
Board members asked about monitoring and financial oversight. Presenters described the fee as a pilot and said the program will be monitored and brought back to the board with a yearly update on enrollment and finances. The motion to increase the fee carried on a voice vote.
