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Preschool Promise to announce plans for expansion, tuition assistance

Posted at 6:32 AM, Mar 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-30 06:42:00-04

CINCINNATI -- Making sure that every child has access to quality education is the goal of Cincinnati's Preschool Promise, which is announcing its expansion plan and tuition assistance at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Leaders from Cincinnati Preschool Promise, Cincinnati Public Schools and the United Way of Cincinnati will gather to provide details on the preschool expansion plan, set to start enrolling children in the fall. 

They'll also announce how families can apply for tuition assistance. Under the plan, families who earn no more than twice the poverty level would be covered, their children allowed to attend any public, private or parochial school that participates in the program.

 

Not only did voters approve the large tax Levy 44 to fund near-universal preschool in November, but they did so with overwhelming force – 63 percent, the biggest winning margin since 1952. More than 200 people attended its kickoff rally and organizers say about 500 community members and volunteers have taken action on the issue of early education.

The levy will generate an additional $48 million a year for five years, costing the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $277. Specifically, it will generate $15 million to subsidize two years of preschool, with the money following students to any CPS, private or charter preschool within the district.

CPS will keep the money it needs to pay for its preschool program and pass the rest to the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, which will create a new infrastructure to oversee the preschool program.

An agreement confirming the plan has been approved by the Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Preschool Promise Board of Trustees are expected to approve the agreement Thursday afternoon.

Upcoming information sessions for parents and preschool providers will also be announced.