Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pre K Expansion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lebanon Borough Board agrees to offer free preschool to resident students; out‑of‑district tuition set at $600
Summary
After discussion about applying for state expansion funds, the Lebanon Borough Board decided to offer a free preschool program to resident students (priority to 4‑year‑olds; 3‑year‑olds admitted if space allows) and allow out‑of‑district enrollment at $600 per month when space is available.
The Lebanon Borough Board of Education decided July 29, 2025, to offer a free preschool program to resident students beginning in the coming school year, prioritizing 4‑year‑olds and admitting 3‑year‑olds only if classroom space permits. Out‑of‑district students may register for preschool at a fee of $600 per month if space remains.
Board members held a lengthy discussion on whether to apply for state funding for pre‑K expansion. Minutes state that the board ultimately decided to offer a free resident preschool program rather than (or before) pursuing state expansion funds; the minutes do not record a roll‑call vote on this specific decision.
During public comment, Elizabeth Farrell, an LBS preschool teacher, urged the board not to withdraw a free preschool if offered, saying she sees “a huge difference in Kdg. readiness” between students who attended the district pre‑K and those who did not. The board also discussed operations including priority enrollment for 4‑year‑olds and potential classroom capacity for 3‑year‑olds.
The board did not specify in the minutes which funding streams will sustain the free resident slots or whether it will formally apply for state pre‑K expansion grants; minutes note IDEA allocations for special education were received but Title IIa funding for staff development was pending. The board requested follow‑up administrative work to implement the program and to clarify funding and enrollment procedures ahead of the 2025/26 school year.
