Board keeps most preschool fees steady but raises half‑day rate as On My Way Pre‑K funding drops
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Summary
The board approved class-offering changes at the EECC and held full-day preschool rates steady while increasing the half-day fee from $17 to $20 and offering an optional extra hour for $5; administrators said a roughly $85,000 cut in On My Way Pre‑K funding reduced available support.
The Richland-Bean Blossom C S C board on Jan. 20 approved program and rate changes for the EECC preschool program ahead of the 2026–27 school year.
Administration said the new EECC building allowed the district to expand full‑day preschool and add a "young threes" class; it recommended keeping full‑day rates unchanged and increasing the half‑day rate due to operational costs and low afternoon enrollment.
Approved changes include:
- Full‑day preschool continuing at current rates (stated in the meeting as $37 per day for preschool and $34 per day for pre‑K).
- Half‑day preschool to be lengthened to three hours (proposed schedule 8:30–11:30) with the daily fee rising from $17 to $20. An additional optional hour would be available for $5 (illustrated as $25 for a four‑hour day).
Administrators also said reduced state support for On My Way Pre‑K will lower district receipts by an estimated $85,000 compared with prior funding levels, requiring the district to consider offsets and enrollment strategies. The board approved the class offerings and rates by voice vote.
Officials said they will monitor enrollment and the effects of rate changes and that cafeteria payments remain separate from EECC fees.