Board approves modest fee increase for early-childhood programs amid state CCAP scrutiny
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Columbia Heights Public Schools approved roughly a 5% increase to community-education and early-childhood fees for the 2026–27 year. District communications staff briefed the board on new state Department of Children, Youth and Families guidance that CCAP funding is stable for months but will undergo additional on-site compliance checks with assistance from the BCA.
The Columbia Heights Public Schools Board voted Jan. 6 to increase fees for community education and early-childhood programs by about 5% beginning in the 2026–27 school year, while district staff described new state-level compliance activity affecting programs that accept CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) funds.
Kristen Stunkle, director of community education and communications, said the increases keep programs self-sustaining; examples presented included Mini Adventures (five days/week) moving from $339 to $356 per week and Adventure Club rising from $24 to $25 per day. "We are trying to keep the amount the increase as low as possible, but we do need to increase it because costs are going up, particularly with our childcare program," Stunkle said.
Stunkle updated the board on a Jan. 2 communication from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) following federal social-media posts about a potential CCAP funding freeze. DCYF told providers CCAP continues to operate and that state funds will support services for several months while federal requests are handled. DCYF is conducting additional on-site compliance checks by the Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Stunkle emphasized: "The presence of BCA agents does not mean there is a criminal investigation." She also described practical steps the district has taken (signage and parent guidance for ProxCard entry) to ensure inspectors and families understand program operations.
Board members asked how withholding or delays in CCAP funds could affect families and program solvency; one board member noted CCAP is approximately a 60/40 federal/state split in funding and urged continued communication with families. The motion to increase fees for community education programs starting in 2026–27 carried after discussion.