Kirkwood School Board Discusses Kindergarten Rates at Tonight's Meeting

At tonight's meeting, the Kirkwood school board will set the kindergarten tuition rates for the upcoming year. According to the agenda for today's meeting, the recommended action is to set the full-day kindergarten tuition free, beginning in the 2012-2013 academic year. 

The board held an open forum with residents on Nov. 9 to discuss the possibility of a tuition-free, full-day kindergarten. The matter was discussed with residents, teachers and members of the Kirkwood Board of Education. 

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At the forum, Kirkwood School District Superintendent Tom Williams said the passing of last year makes it a possibility for every child in the district to enroll in kindergarten full time. At the forum, Williams said all options were on the table.

"Do we make it totally free? Do we find a way to drastically reduce the tuition based on need? These are the options we want to discuss with our citizens,” Williams said in a .

Implementing full-day kindergarten would cost the district $850,000 and would not require an increase in the district's tax rates. The district averages a budget of $60 to $70 million annually.

Currently, tuition for full-day kindergarten is $3,600 per student. Students eligible for the reduced lunch program pay $1,600 and those eligible for free lunches pay around $900.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the district’s administrative center, 11289 Manchester Rd. in Kirkwood.