Elkin board raises pre‑K fee, approves Beta Club trips and personnel report

The Elkin City Board of Education on Dec. 9 approved a staff proposal to raise the district’s pre-K fee-for-service from $400 to $585 per month beginning in the 2025–26 school year to offset program losses.

A presenter explained the pre-K program currently operates with 20 NC pre-K slots that bring monthly funding tied to attendance, plus fee-for-service slots that previously generated a net loss of $19,788.61 in fiscal year 2024. “We are losing money…we need to raise our rates so that we’re not losing the kind of money that we’re currently losing,” the presenter said. Board members discussed funding sources (state NC pre-K reimbursement, federal and Smart Start funds), how NC pre-K slots are filled and that fee-for-service families may live outside the district but should understand fee enrollment does not guarantee kindergarten admission.

The board moved and approved the fee increase by voice vote. The presenter and board noted the district typically fills NC pre-K slots and that fee-for-service capacity has been used by families outside district boundaries.

Separately, the board approved two overnight Beta Club field trips (elementary and high school) to the state convention in Greensboro and accepted the personnel report dated Dec. 9, 2024. The meeting closed with regular holiday announcements and scheduling for upcoming meetings including a special BOE training on Jan. 6 and the next regular meeting on Jan. 27.

Board members and presenters framed the pre-K action as aligning local fees with neighboring districts and ensuring the pre-K program is financially sustainable while continuing support for families who receive NC pre-K slots.