Parma City Schools to shift Kindergarten Launch Academy to preschool model, set new tuition

Parma City School District administrators presented a plan to restructure Kindergarten Launch Academy (KLA) as a preschool model at First Step, expand eligibility to children who are 4 and 5 years old, and shift part of the program to a tuition-based model to improve long‑term sustainability.

Doctor Cruz and KLA staff described the change as a way to expand early childhood access while offsetting district general-fund costs. "We are not required to have a kindergarten launch academy. In fact, it's pretty unique," Doctor Cruz said, describing the move as a program redesign that allows wider access to preschool-aged children. Presenters said KLA previously limited enrollment to children who had already met the kindergarten-age cutoff; the proposed model would include both 4‑ and 5‑year‑olds and align preschool instruction to early learning standards.

As proposed, the district would raise the peer-model tuition from $600/year to $800/year for AM or PM half‑day placements. For an extended full-day enrichment KLA model that includes lunch, recess and extra readiness activities, administrators proposed a $1,500 annual tuition for pure-model placements. Presenters emphasized that students with disabilities who receive specially designed instruction would not be charged tuition for the half‑day preschool instruction; the tuition would apply to extended enrichment time.

Administrators said roughly 34 applications had been received in the initial registration period and estimated current KLA enrollment at about 40 students across three classrooms; the district expects to notify the first round of admits by mid‑April. The team also said grant funding for curriculum materials had been requested from the state and could offset some startup costs if approved.

The board later adopted Resolution 2026-03-127 to increase First Step preschool peer-model tuition and to establish KLA tuition at First Step. During board discussion members asked about EMIS coding, IEP handling, building capacity, staffing ratios and messaging for families; administrators answered that the KLA classroom would be a single inclusive classroom and that IEP teams would continue to meet to set supports.

The board approved the tuition resolution by roll call; administration will return with implementation details and necessary resolutions on staffing and logistics.