In short: The Family-Centered & Community-Focused initiative eliminates financial barriers for students at all grade levels, with many families annually receiving benefits worth several thousand dollars.

• The plan offers free or affordable, high-quality PreK for all 3- and 4-year-olds in the community. 
• For students at all grade levels, the plan promotes equity by covering costs on items ranging from instructional supplies to AP and CTE test and certification fees.

In detail: The November 7 ballot question seeks voters’ approval for raising MCCSC’s current referendum tax rate (18.5 cents per $100 assessed valuation) by 8.5 cents.

If approved, the referendum will finance expanded services, primarily early childhood education. The school corporation would provide for all families:

• Free Pre-K for 3-year-olds whose families meet free/reduced lunch guidelines, for an annual cost of $2.5 million.

• Free or reduced-cost 4-year-old Pre-K, for an annual cost of $3.5 million.

• District-paid instructional materials, testing fees and student technology devices, for an annual cost of $1.25 million.

• Career and technical education tuition and fees, for an annual cost of $1.25 million.

MCCSC assembled and prioritized this list of benefits by identifying currently unfunded needs, especially those that have a disproportionate negative impact on families with lower incomes. By providing rich educational experiences for pre-kindergarten children in Monroe County, this plan would increase ready-to-learn rates and improve life-long educational outcomes. By fully funding instructional materials, exam and career fees, and supply costs, the Family-Centered & Community-Focused initiative would remove financial barriers to education for all students and families.

The plan is consistent with the school corporation’s published goal of increased funding from local sources through community-approved initiatives - particularly in areas that advance equity and cover needs that have not been funded by the state legislature.