Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Administration presented projections for potential costs and tuition for a school-run three-year-old preschool program during last week’s Board of Education work session. The discussion was first held during the March 25 board meeting, with a survey sent to community members to determine whether there is interest or need within Carroll. While survey results are still being collected, Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau reviewed with the business office estimated expenditure figures and the amount the district would need to charge tuition to make the program sustainable. If CCSD offered two half-day sessions with 15-20 kids, a teacher, and a teaching assistant (TA), it would cost approximately $46,000 per year. To break even with expenses, the district would have to charge $256.55 a month for 20 kids and $342.06 a month for 15 kids. Tuition from other schools that implement a three-year old preschool within the Racoon River Conference charge between $150 and $170 a month, which would generate a total revenue of $27,000 to $30,000 if serving 20 kids, covering just a little over half of total expenses. Changes that could reduce expenditures include: hiring just one teacher and charging parents for transportation. No decision has been made to begin a three-year-old preschool program at this time. An interest survey is included with this story on our website and will help the administration and board determine the district’s next steps.
