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Board sets tuition policy for discretionary admissions after lengthy debate
Summary
Trustees debated formulas and a tiered option to set tuition for discretionary admissions, citing enrollment (ADM) impacts, fairness, and resident fairness. After discussion and amendments the board adopted a tiered approach with a $2,066 standard maximum and provisions for lower, board-approved tiers; the motion passed 5–3.
The board devoted extensive discussion to setting the tuition rate for discretionary admissions for the 2026–27 school year. Superintendent Dr. Jones presented options: follow the existing formula (resulting in a recommended $2,066 per student) or adopt a tiered model with discounted rates for returning discretionary students or city residents alongside a higher standard rate for other applicants. "Your recommended tuition rate running all those numbers would be $2,066 per student," Dr. Jones said while walking trustees through the budget and ADM calculations.
Trustees debated whether a lower tier would help retain and attract students and how to prevent abuse of domicile rules. Questions included whether applicants could be charged prorated amounts or face penalties if they were found to have misrepresented residence. After multiple amendments and procedural votes, the board adopted a version of the tiered option that retains $2,066 as the standard maximum for non-domiciled applicants and allows the board to authorize lower tuition tiers for qualifying returning students and city residents; the final motion carried 5–3. The board also instructed administration to publicly post the application process and consider dates and conditions that would incentivize honest, early applications.
