When the district implemented full-day kindergarten three years ago, an enrichment fee of $300 per student helped fund the program amid revenue uncertainty.
The district’s financial picture has improved since then: state funding is now consistent; property tax revenues are increasing due to new property development; and investment income is increasing as interest rates rise. Also, the rate at which the district can increase property tax revenues has increased from less than one percent to about two percent for three straight years.
“We’re in a much better place now than we were at the time we enacted the fee,” said Jessica Donato, Chief School Business Official.
As a result, the Board of Education agreed to drop the $300 full-day kindergarten enrichment fee for the 2019-20 school year.
“(The fee) was a lot for a family,” said Superintendent Larry Hewitt. “When we looked at our neighboring districts, this puts us in alignment with them.”
Other fees, including curriculum, transportation and summer school, will increase slightly for all grades. The curriculum fee will increase by $5 to $125 for grades K-5 and $130 for grades 6-8. Summer School class fees will also increase by $5 to $110 per class for district residents.
Fees for Young Explorers Early Childhood Program, before-and after-school care and sixth-grade Outdoor Education will remain unchanged.
Committee of the Whole to Review Standards-Based Reporting
The Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 as a Committee of the Whole to review the Standards-Based Reporting initiative.
The meeting will be held at the HOH Community Room in the district office.