JCPS to Cancel seven tuition-based Preschools

This from Toni Konz at C-J:

Saying it’s losing too much money, Jefferson County Public Schools will close seven of its 14 tuition-based pre-school sites this fall, leaving hundreds of middle-class families with fewer pre-kindergarten options for their children.

Officials decided to end tuition-based preschool at Chancey, Jeffersontown, Middletown, Smyrna, Wellington and Zachary Taylor elementary schools, as well as at Waggener High School, because of declining enrollment and insufficient revenue from tuition, said Harriet Thomas, director of early childhood for the district.

“Understandably, parents and staff have been disappointed to learn that these units will be closed in 2010-11,” Thomas said. “It was a very difficult decision for us to make, but it is one we feel is necessary to meet fiscal expectations.”

The district lost $283,644 last year on the program, and enrollment fell from 482 last year to 303 this year, in part, Thomas said, because the tuition went up to help cover costs....