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WOODSFIELD -- The Switzerland of Ohio Local School District has decided to again waive its preschool fees for the 2022-23 school year.
The district first implemented the free preschool program last year for the 2021-22 school year.
The program allows all youth ages 3-5 residing in the school district to attend preschool at no charge. Prior to SOLSD absorbing the cost, the price per student to attend preschool classes was $140.
Superintendent Phil Ackerman said educators want to ensure every student entering kindergarten is prepared and successful in their academic future.
"It’s a great program. The preschool program is very effective in terms of having those students ready for kindergarten so we want to support that, and we want all of our families to have the opportunity for their children to participate," he said.
"We believe in the program. It makes an impact on readiness, and we wanted to be able to extend it so every family in the district that wants to participate in the preschool program can."
Ackerman said they expanded the preschool program last year to include additional classrooms to help meet the need.
"Because of how much it helps those students be ready for kindergarten, we want every youngster out there in that 3-5 age group to have, if they want to, to have the opportunity to attend preschool here in the district,” he added.
The board approved the recommendation to extend the program for the upcoming school year during its Feb. 17 meeting.
Regarding the future of the program remaining free to residents, Ackerman said it will continue as long as the district is able.
"It’s probably going to be a year-to-year decision but if we can, we would like to be able to keep doing that," he said.
The board of education next meets at 6 p.m. March 10 at Swiss Hills Career Center in Woodsfield.