State: No paid kindergarten allowed

The Sisters School District cannot charge parents to add an extra half day onto their children's kindergarten.

Sisters is one of about 30 school districts statewide that is affected by a recent opinion of the Oregon Legislative Council. In a letter dated November 30, the counsel states that under Oregon laws public schools cannot charge tuition for any portion of their kindergarten programs.

The ruling impacts Sisters all-day kindergarten program, which this year serves 18 students. Currently, parents pay tuition of $2,500 per year per student for the portion of the all-day kindergarten than is not covered by State School Funds.

"The Sisters School District offers three payment schedules. The first is to pay the whole amount, and, if it is paid before August 22, there is a three percent discount. The second is that you pay it in three installments, and there is a one percent discount. The third option is to pay it monthly with payments of $225 per month," said Sisters School District superintendent Elaine Drakulich.

Additionally, there are options for those who qualify for and meet certain criteria.

"If they meet free or reduced standards, then there is no charge if they meet the free standards and if they meet the reduced standards the cost is only $113 per month, and those are the standards set by the federal government," said Drakulich.

The new changes that will result as a result of the Legislative Council's findings will not affect the operation of this year's kindergarten program.

"My understanding is that we operate as we operated through this school year," said Drakulich.

Drakulich told The Nugget that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is conducting surveys and talking to the school district that have implemented paid kindergarten programs.

They are talking to them about what they are doing and what this (the new ruling) will mean to them next year," said Drakulich. The ODE will then issue a statement.

Last Friday, the ODE released a statement that it is asking the Oregon Department of Justice to clarify the law.

Even though the new ruling disallows parents from paying tuition for any part of their children's kindergarten program, the Sisters School District will still offer all-day kindergarten next year. The district will simply find a different way to offer the program.

"For us and my planning we will offer an all-day kindergarten next year. However, it will not be one where the parents are paying for half of it. It will be one in which we probably attach Title I dollars. We receive Title I dollars for our elementary school because it meets the criteria for student economic need," said Drakulich.