Committee explores phased approach to end charging for kindergarten, says transparency and timing matter

School committee liaisons and finance staff discussed a proposal to reduce and eventually eliminate kindergarten tuition over multiple years rather than in a single budget cycle.

A staff presenter said he had projected “it would cost to run a free full day kindergarten program… between 6 and $700,000 annually” and that the FY26 budget already plans to shift half of two kindergarten teacher positions into the revolving account. Members stressed the need for a transparent, multi‑year plan so the town and voters can prepare for any general‑fund increases or warrant articles. One committee member said Marblehead is one of a small number of districts that still charges for public‑school kindergarten and urged planning to end that practice; another urged coordination with local preschool providers to select a year with lower incoming cohorts so the district does not immediately need to add staff.

Staff noted operational constraints: if the district removed tuition, enrollment could rise and trigger additional staffing needs that would increase costs beyond the initial estimate. The liaisons recommended that administration incorporate the kindergarten‑funding transition into the district’s 3‑ to 5‑year strategic plan and bring proposals to the committee with clear year‑by‑year financial impacts and demographic context.

Ending: Staff will produce a multi‑year proposal and demographic analysis showing how a phased reduction could proceed and the incremental budget steps required to reach free full‑day kindergarten.