The New Bloomfield Board of Education voted at its meeting Thursday night to no longer participate in the Missouri Preschool Project, which was established in 2001, giving the district more control over its preschool program.
Board Member Susie Hinrichs was the only no vote, while Board Member Shawn Cockrum was not present for the vote.
This means New Bloomfield's preschool program won't receive funding from the state and therefore won't have to abide by certain state rules. A licensed preschool teacher will be employed with the district full-time for nine months. For the remaining three months of the year during summer vacation, a non-certified teacher with an associate's degree will take over the classroom.
The move will save the district money and allow it to continue to subsidize costs for parents and guardians. Preschool tuition is currently $20 per day. If the district stopped supplementing the preschool budget, the cost would increase to $30 per day.
Twenty preschool students currently attend New Bloomfield's preschool program and the same amount is signed up for next year, with four on a waiting list.
When looking at the wants and needs for next year, Superintendent David Tramel said investment in the preschool was the top priority for Elementary School Principal Julie Gerloff.
"She's fighting for her pre-kindergarten," Tramel said.