CPS board adopts temporary kindergarten cutoff, updates preschool rules and approves a COLA for employees
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Summary
On Feb. 9 the board approved a two-year transition to accept early-admission kindergarten applicants whose birthdays fall between the first day of school and Sept. 30 (to comply with House Bill 114), updated a CPS preschool cutoff rule, and unanimously adopted a multi-unit cost-of-living adjustment resolution tied to recent union negotiations.
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Board of Education on Feb. 9 approved two policy changes to align local enrollment with state law and adopted a cost-of-living pay increase for a wide group of district employees.
Kindergarten and preschool policy
General Counsel Dan Hoang told the board that House Bill 114 requires districts to use the first day of school as the reference date for kindergarten eligibility. Because CPS historically used Sept. 30, administration recommended a two-year transition (for 2026'27 and 2027'28) allowing the board to early-admit children whose birthdays fall between the first day of school and Sept. 30 through the district's established evaluation process. The board discussed impacts for preschool funding and for students who may not be academically ready for kindergarten; members asked administration to study readiness and enrollment effects. The board then approved the proposed kindergarten policy change on a roll-call vote with all listed members voting "Yes."
Hoang also presented a companion preschool policy update setting CPS preschool cutoff at age 3 by the first day of school, to keep preschool and kindergarten admission timelines in parallel. Board members discussed possible disparities with third-party "Preschool Promise" providers and asked administration to consult with partner programs; the preschool policy update passed on a roll-call vote.
Cost-of-living adjustment
Board member Lindy moved to adopt a resolution that the board read into the record which approves a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for multiple bargaining units effective Dec. 28, 2025, and an additional 2% for those groups effective summer 2026 (dates vary by bargaining unit). The resolution also extends equivalent increases to the superintendent, treasurer and unrepresented employees. Board members praised labor-administration collaboration and confirmed the administration presented a plan to fund the increases; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.
Votes at a glance
- Kindergarten cutoff (House Bill 114 transition): approved (roll-call: Miss Armbruster: Yes; Miss Bolton: Yes; Mister Crossett: Yes; Mister Lindy: Yes; Miss Mapp: Yes; Vice president Moffett: Yes; President Craig/Gregg: Yes). - Preschool cutoff (align to first day age 3): approved (roll-call: recorded as Yes by members present in the transcript). - COLA resolution (multi-unit settlement): approved (roll-call: recorded as Yes by members present in the transcript).
Board members asked the administration to provide follow-up information on how many students could be affected by the kindergarten date change, the fiscal impact and any retention terms connected to staff training or credentialing programs.
The board's votes were recorded by roll call during the meeting; the motion texts and roll-call tallies as read at the meeting are recorded in the meeting minutes and were summarized during the Feb. 9 session.
