WEST MILFORD — The West Milford Township Council approved its new fee schedule Wednesday night, including an increase for the township-run preschool at $225 per seven-week session.
Currently, the tuition is $850 per school year or $170 per five week session for the program that is run at the Hillcrest Community Center. The increase is $275 for the year; $55 per session.
The council recently discussed the possibility of ending the program, which has been in existence for more than 30 years, because it is not a self sustaining program. Currently, the program is running with a $33,000 shortfall. The increase in tuition will cut the shortfall down to $23,000 with the current enrollment of 69 students. Still, the taxpayers will continue to subsidize the program.
Community Services and Recreation Director Jayme Mulhern told the council last month that similar preschool programs charge up to $5,400 per year. It is her department that runs the school.
Impassioned pleas
Over the past month, parents have come to the council meetings to convince the mayor and council to keep the program going. Many said it's a superior preschool; some said it's more affordable than the private preschools and shutting it down would affect some families' ability to send their children to preschool at all.
"I can't think of a higher priority than the children of our town," said Scott Sandman of Hewitt to the council. His child is in the program. "I don't want to send my kid to a cookie-cutter, for profit preschool. Find a new business model. These are not huge numbers. I urge this council to do everything it can to continue its operation."
Others described the program as loving and nurturing, more like a family than a school.
Should taxpayers subsidize the program?
But is the township in the preschool business? That is a concern from others who do not want the taxpayers to continue to subsidize this program.
Two weeks ago, resident Tim Wagner told the council it was important to keep the program going for those who need it.
"Why is a $30,000 shortfall a big issue?" he asked. "I don't think it's a program that should be shut down at all."
He suggested raising tuition gradually over five years and that the three employees take a pay cut until the program was in the black.
Councilwoman Ada Erik said she doesn't look at it as "just $30,000," especially when the council is in the middle of the budget process.
"Sitting up here makes you look at it a little differently than sitting down there," she told Wagner. "It's 'just' that much more. People are saying we can't keep raising them just a little more."
Parents are proactive
Wednesday night, Marianne Stillman, a parent at the preschool, said some parents had formed a fund raising committee. They had their first event on Feb. 16, a movie night, just 10 days after the first meeting with the council about the preschool program. They raised $650 for the school. She said they can raise much more over time with planning because the community cares about the program and will support it.
Councilman Mike Hensley suggested the parents form a 401-C3 non-profit group to disburse the funds as they wish without the township getting involved. They can give scholarship or disburse the funds however they wish.
Four members of the council approved the increase in the tuition. Two members have recused themselves from the preschool discussion. Councilwoman CarlLa Horton is on the board of her church's preschool; Councilman Lou Signorino sends his son to the program.
What do you think about the council's decision to continue the Hillcrest preschool program? Go to westmilfordmessenger.com and let us know.