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District to assess preschool family fees after state monitoring finding; 12 families affected
Summary
Following a state monitoring finding, district staff reported the preschool admission agreement omitted allowed family fees; an audit of 36 enrollees shows 12 families would owe monthly fees ranging $17.80–$86.30, with staff planning individual outreach and a January implementation date.
District staff told trustees that a recent state program monitoring review identified a discrepancy: board policy allows assessment of family fees for full‑day state preschool, but the admission agreement and handbook incorrectly stated no fees were charged. The district audited 36 preschool enrollees and found 12 families would owe a monthly family fee if assessed.
"There are 12 families that will owe a family fee monthly," the preschool presenter said, and staff reported the family‑fee amounts range from $17.80 to $86.30 per month. Staff described the corrective steps: update the policy and admission agreement, meet individually with affected families, explain appeals procedures and target implementation in January so families are not required to back‑pay.
Trustees discussed program capacity and staffing ratios (1 adult per 8 students for full‑day classrooms) and asked about outreach to increase enrollment. Staff said the county is aware of the situation and described outreach efforts—flyers, community events, visits to clinics and libraries—to boost eligible enrollment.
Why it matters: The change corrects a state compliance issue and will generate modest fee revenue while preserving an appeal process and an implementation window. Staff estimated the maximum monthly collection from identified families would total $660.85 in a given month and about $7,930.20 annually if all assessments continued for 12 months.
What’s next: Staff will meet individually with the 12 families, update documentation, and pursue outreach to grow enrollment and improve program sustainability.
