Kindergarten enrollment and planning for the 2025-2026 school year took center stage at the Sycamore Schools Board of Education meeting on April 8, 2025, as officials grappled with declining half-day kindergarten registrations and the need for strategic adjustments.

Superintendent Brad Lovell presented a detailed overview of current enrollment figures, revealing a stark contrast between the half-day and full-day programs. While full-day kindergarten, which is tuition-based, continues to attract more families, half-day enrollment has dwindled significantly. Currently, only 23 students are registered for half-day kindergarten at Blue Ash Elementary, with even lower numbers at other schools, raising concerns about the viability of maintaining multiple sections.

Lovell emphasized the need for a decisive plan to address these challenges, recommending that the half-day program be consolidated to just two schools: Mapledale and Sims Elementary. This shift would allow families from Blue Ash and Montgomery to attend the half-day program at these locations, optimizing space and resources. "We are out of space at Blue Ash," Lovell explained, highlighting the necessity of this move to free up room for intervention programs.

The board acknowledged the importance of clear communication with families regarding these changes, especially after last year's late notifications caused confusion. Lovell assured that families would be informed well in advance about their options for the upcoming school year.

In addition to the half-day program adjustments, Lovell proposed maintaining four sections of full-day kindergarten at Montgomery Elementary, despite the risk of under-enrollment. This decision aims to accommodate families willing to pay for full-day options, ensuring they have access to the program if needed.

As the board prepares to finalize these recommendations, the focus remains on balancing fiscal responsibility with the educational needs of students. The upcoming financial retreat will further explore the funding of the full-day program, as the district continues to navigate the complexities of kindergarten enrollment in a changing educational landscape.