Sedona-Oak Creek School District Reinstates Preschool Fees in Surprising Vote

The Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board has decided to reinstate preschool tuition for the upcoming school year, a move unanimously approved during their meeting on Tuesday, July 9. The new tuition rates are set at $450 per month, or $250 per month for low-income students. This financial model aims to support an additional preschool class with the help of philanthropists Basil and Mimi Maher.

Previously, SOCSD had provided free preschool to 20 students since August 2020, hoping to boost future district enrollments. Despite maintaining a waitlist of about 60 students, the initiative did not meet its enrollment targets.

“The unfortunate piece is that our state does not fund preschool,” stated SOCSD Superintendent Tom Swaninger. He elaborated, “We receive basically zero funding [from the state]; the nominal support we do get doesn’t come close to covering the $176,000 annual cost of running one classroom. Given our budget, that’s a substantial burden for any district.”

Board President Randy Hawley echoed Swaninger’s sentiments about state funding, highlighting Arizona’s low ranking in the nation. “We’re 49th in school funding, which is not something to be proud of,” he said. He also criticized the state’s tax structure, explaining that local property taxes primarily benefit Phoenix, rather than staying within their own communities.

The reinstated tuition fees aim to make the preschool program financially sustainable while doubling its capacity. However, Swaninger clarified that the expansion would not fully address the current waitlist.

Currently, the program includes one preschool teacher and two classroom aides. Two more aides are planned to be hired at salaries ranging from $16.30 to $17.25 per hour.

Swaninger acknowledged the Mahers’ role in supporting the program. “Fortunately, we have a family willing to supplement and support the doubling of our preschool student capacity. However, we need some fee structure to sustain this,” he noted.

The Mahers have committed to covering any shortfall to fund the second preschool class for at least one year. “We promised to make up any difference,” Basil Maher affirmed. He added, “We believe that if families pay the fee, the school can cover both classes, freeing up funds for other programs.”

Maher expressed a willingness to support the program long-term if necessary. “We think the program will almost fully fund itself, but if not, we’re prepared to back it for several years until it gains traction,” he said.

Eric Wyles, founder of Low Income Student Aid (LISA), also voiced his support during the meeting. “I’m willing to spend the next week applying for larger grants to support low-income students attending the program,” Wyles said, emphasizing the financial barriers that lower-income families face. LISA has already submitted a grant application to Arizona Complete Health and applied for Sedona’s 2024 small grant program.

Superintendent Swaninger concluded on a hopeful note. “This is a pilot program. If we can demonstrate its success, there’s potential for continued and even expanded support. However, without additional funding sources and the ongoing financial support from the Mahers, sustaining the program would be challenging.”