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District preschool running a six‑figure shortfall; board weighs tuition increase and feeder benefits
Summary
Staff reported the districts preschool is operating at a deficit (about $89,000 this year; projected $94,000 next year if tuition remains $350/month) and analyzed raising tuition to $500/month as one option to reduce the shortfall to about $65,000 while noting the program serves as a feeder to elementary enrollment.
Staff described the districts preschool history, current subsidy and options to reduce the programs operating deficit. The presenter said the district absorbed the preschool this year and has been subsidizing staffing and benefits to stabilize the program.
"The tuition for preschool is $350 a month per student. The program is running in the red $89,000," the presenter said. Staff projected that if tuition remained at $350/month next year the program would run a $94,000 shortfall; raising tuition to $500/month would reduce that gap to about $65,000. Board members and parents emphasized affordability concerns: several parents said $500 would still be affordable compared with private options, while others warned a sharp increase would be a strain.
Members noted the preschool functions as a feeder program: only 2 of 20 current kindergarten students live in the district, so attracting families into the preschool could increase long-term enrollment and state revenue. The board asked staff to continue exploring revenue and enrollment scenarios, grant alignment and whether sliding-scale or sibling discounts could preserve access while narrowing the subsidy.
