Akron schools now seeking input ahead of full-day pre-K registration

A week after the superintendent pledged to almost immediately open registration for new full-day pre-kindergarten classes, Akron Public Schools is now asking parents to fill out a survey to gauge interest in the program.

Costs also will increase for half-day and full-day pre-K, although many families may qualify to enroll for free.

The district posted an update on its website Wednesday saying full-day pre-K is moving ahead in the fall, but registration has to wait until the board passes its redistricting plan, which is on the agenda for Monday's meeting.

"The reason this plan hinges on the redistricting vote is that the new student registration forms need to include the new attendance boundaries that are part of rezoning or redistricting," the website said.

More information will be forthcoming about registration, it said.

"Later in March, when the district hears back from as many families as it can, more precise plans will follow commensurate with the level of interest in the expanded learning opportunity," the post said.

Costs going up for full- and half-day pre-K

Costs for the full-day pre-K program will be $250 per month, according to the interest form sent out to some parents.

The half-day program will be $125 per month.

Previously, the cost was $75 a month for half-day pre-K. The district has not offered full-day pre-K classes.

Many families may qualify for grant assistance and won't have to pay for either full- or half-day pre-K. Costs are on a sliding scale based on family income. About 70% of families currently enrolled do not pay for pre-K.

Full-day pre-K costs to the district still unclear

The administration still has not said how it would pay for full-day pre-K. Superintendent Michael Robinson said last week it would depend on how many students enrolled.

Akron Education Association President Pat Shipe said last week full-day pre-K was much needed, but she criticized the superintendent for seeking to move forward with it without a plan for how to pay for it. The district is already facing a need to cut $15 million by next school year, in addition to passing a levy.

Going from half-day to full-day classes could double the amount of staff needed if all families opted for the full-day option. In the statement on the website, the district clarified previously released number for pre-K, noting that of the 700 students enrolled in early learning programs in the district, only 400 are specifically enrolled in pre-K, which is for 4-year-olds the year before they are eligible for kindergarten.

The district has not responded to questions about how much just the half-day pre-K program costs now. It previously said the number was $5.5 million, but that was total cost for all early learning programs, which includes pre-K along with preschool programs for 3-year-olds.

If all classrooms in early learning programs had the same costs of about $7,547 per student, half-day pre-K alone would be about $3.1 million.

Full-day pre-K generally attracts more families, as parents then don't have to search for a second childcare option if they work during the day. Treasurer and CFO Stephen Thompson said in his previous district, going from half-day to full-day pre-K increased enrollment by about a third.

Some families receive interest form

At the school board's Feb. 26 meeting, Robinson said the district would move from half-day to full-day pre-K in the fall, although it would allow some students to stay in half-day as needed. He said registration would begin that Wednesday. When asked by a reporter if he was referring to official registration of students or taking a survey of parents' interest, Robinson said they were not doing a survey and it would be official registration. But he also said they did not know how many students they could accommodate in the program, and some students who registered could later end up on a waitlist.

A week later, the district has sent a "2024-2025 Pre-K Registration Interest Form" to a group of possible pre-K families. A district spokesman said it was an "email to families and our list of community connections," but did not offer specifics.

On Thursday, the district sent an email newsletter that included an invitation for families with pre-K students this fall to fill out the form, but the link in the email did not work as of late afternoon.

The interest form notes for next school year, "APS is moving to full day pre-K for students that will be 4 years old by September 30 and are potty-trained."

"If there is a need, half day options may also be available," the form said, but noted the following year, only full-day would be offered.

The form said its intention was to "assist APS in planning purposes to determine the number of students eligible and interested in attending a FULL DAY 4-year-old Pre-K program."

While the form is not an official registration, it does include some aspects that may appear that way, such as asking for the parent's name, address, their child's name and age, confirmation of legal guardianship and a typed electronic signature.

Redistricting vote to impact early learning buildings

Monday, the board will vote on a revised redistricting plan that will impact boundary lines and redistribute early learning classes around the district.

The administration is asking for two buildings previously slated for closure to remain open in case they are needed for expanded pre-K programming.

Stewart and Essex early learning centers were part of a board vote in July on a long-term operational plan that included closures. Board member Rene Molenaur noted at the Feb. 26 meeting that she had already voted to close them due to financial concerns, and to reopen them would require a separate vote.

Robinson said the buildings would be used this fall only as a last resort, as they have extensive maintenance needs.

The board meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday at 10 N. Main Street in Akron. It will also be livestreamed on the district's Youtube page.

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron schools want parent input ahead of full-day pre-K registration