Board approves inclusive preschool pilot with $300 monthly tuition for non-IEP families

The Northwest Allen County Schools Board approved a recommendation to convert its special-education-only preschool into fully inclusive, blended preschool classrooms for the 2026–27 school year.

Mrs. Diana Koscher, the district’s executive director for special education, told trustees the district plans to run classrooms of about 15–20 children with a roughly equal mix of students with IEPs and students without disabilities. She said staffing would remain at one licensed teacher and two assistants per classroom and that the district would target children age 4 by Aug. 1 for the PM sessions.

Koscher presented logistics and costs. Students with IEPs would continue to receive services at no charge; families of non-IEP students would be charged a proposed tuition of $300 per month, self-pay, with transportation remaining the parents’ responsibility. The district’s projection assumes it can enroll 43 tuition-paying students across its PM classrooms, which Koscher estimated would generate about $129,000 over the school year if those seats fill.

Board members asked how enrollment would be handled (Koscher said she expects a first-come, first-served window and screening questions), whether preschool would align with the K–12 calendar (it would start the Monday after K–12 opens and run Monday–Thursday with Fridays reserved for evaluations and parent meetings), and whether the district would pre-assess children (planned screening and round-up events were described).

Superintendent Barker framed the proposal as aligned with the district’s strategic plan and as a way to provide a high-quality early-learning option in an area with limited preschool availability. After discussion the board approved the change as presented (motion by Ms. Latter, second by Ms. Cheffy).

The board directed administration to finalize operational details — enrollment window, marketing and website materials, and any budget adjustments — and to report back with implementation steps and outcomes after the program begins.