H-BC expands preschool offering for 2022-23

For the next school year, parents of preschoolers ages 4 and 5 will have another learning option for their children at the Little Patriot Academy in Beaver Creek.
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board approved expanding their community education offerings Monday night to include a half-day, five-days-a-week preschool option.
The program will be a pilot for the 2022-23 school year.
“This is definitely a onetime thing, and we’ll see how it works out,” said Board Chairman Arlyn Gehrke.
The added afternoon option will double the current preschool budget from $39,991 to $81,352 for the nine-month program.
A program deficit of $27,701 is expected, and the district will apply for ESSR funds to cover a portion of the added cost.
Superintendent Todd Holthaus said he was very conservative with the budget numbers, indicating the deficit amount could change if enrollment numbers are higher than estimated.
Currently 31 children are enrolled in the two preschool offerings at the Little Patriot Academy. Nine students are estimated to enroll in the new five-day program, with 16 choosing one of the two original class offerings.
Registration for the new preschool offering begins next week.
H-BC will continue the two-day 3- and 4-year-old preschool classes and the three-day 4- and 5-year-old classes that are now offered in the afternoon. For the 2022-23 school year, these classes will be conducted in the morning.
Tuition will increase, as approved by board members. Board member Tim Bosch was absent.
Tuition for the two-day Tuesday/Thursday option increases from $90 per month to $105. The three-day Monday/ Wednesday/Friday option increases from $110 to $125 per month.
Monthly cost for the new five-day preschool option is $195.
Transportation is available for all three classes, with costs ranging from $30 to $75 per month.
In other business, the H-BC board:
•purchased a 2023 IC 77-passenger bus for $103,000 with delivery expected this fall. The new bus will be purchased through ESSR dollars.
•approved hiring TeamWorks International of Centerville to complete an enrollment and demographics study at a cost of $3,500.
•hired Melanie Kruse as a special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year at a salary of $48,423.
•changed the start time of the March 28 school board meeting from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to the elementary band and vocal concert.