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Regional School District 18 adopts tuition rates and approves several tuition‑student requests
Summary
The board reviewed and adopted the district’s annual tuition policy and rates (no change to current rates), approved individual tuition-student requests including a pre‑K4 and several grade‑level tuition requests, and discussed potential future options for income‑based or scholarship mechanisms to increase socioeconomic diversity.
The Regional School District 18 board reviewed and adopted its annual tuition policy and rates after an administrative explanation that the district maintains rates that are competitive and stable instead of matching the year‑to‑year per‑pupil expenditure figure.
Superintendent (speaker 4) explained the policy rationale: the district’s per‑pupil expenditure is over $25,000 but the board elected years ago to keep published tuition rates steady to avoid annual volatility and to remain competitive. Administration noted an attendance‑agreement rate for students whose home districts pay tuition is set at $30,000, and that additional services (for example, special education supports) are billed as part of the contract. The board discussed whether income‑based reductions or a scholarship mechanism could increase socioeconomic and ethnic diversity among tuition students; administration said there is no current fundraising or financial‑aid mechanism and suggested the policy committee could study options.
On motions, the board approved a pre‑K4 tuition request (moved by speaker 18, seconded by the chair) and approved two ninth‑grade and one sixth‑grade tuition requests in a subsequent motion. Board members noted that of the district’s 17 current tuition students, seven are seniors and the district expects those seats to open next year.
The board then moved to formally adopt the tuition policy and rate as presented. The chair called the question and recorded an affirmative vote.
Why it matters: the tuition policy affects family costs, enrollment planning and the district’s per‑pupil budgeting. Board members flagged interest in studying income‑based adjustments and scholarship mechanisms in committee before making permanent policy changes.
Next steps: the board asked the policy committee to explore options around need‑based adjustments and potential mechanisms to support increased diversity among tuition students if members want to pursue that direction.
