Tax rates and preschool tuition approved, CCPS summer staff recognized by school board

Discussion about the tax rate for the Christian County Public School System, along with proposed tuition for over-income families applying for preschool were the main topics of the Aug. 15 board of education meeting.

By Daynnah Carmona August 16, 2024 7:58 am

CCPS Maintenence team recognized at school board meeting. Aug. 15, 2024 (Daynnah Carmona)

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Discussion about the tax rate for the Christian County Public School System, along with proposed tuition for over-income families applying for preschool were the main topics of the Aug. 15 board of education meeting.

The floor opened with heartfelt recognition for the CCPS maintenance team that has been hard at work all summer preparing the schools for the fall semester. Their expertise in plumbing, electrical work and beyond ensured that the schools are safe and ready for students.

“This team shows up with a smile on their face, even when the times get tough,” said the maintenance department director Trevor Herndon. “I love Christian County schools. I love this department, and I love the people in it.” Herdon continued to say the group put in a tremendous amount of time and effort transitioning the schools, but there was never a doubt in his mind they could do it.

Tax rates

The evening before the meeting, superintendent Chris Bentzel released a video statement to the community outlining the newly proposed tax rate for the school system for the fiscal year. He began the statement saying, “Over the past four years, the Christian County Board of Education has been mindful of the economic challenges facing our community, state, and nation. At Thursday’s meeting, I will recommend lowering our local property tax rate from 42.2 to 41 cents per $100.”

This new rate was approved by the board during the meeting. Properties in the district that are due to be reassessed will notice a change in the allocated school portion of their property tax. The rate for the previous fiscal year produced a revenue of $20,145,905, and this new rate is expected to increase revenue by $1,343,756.

New preschool tuition

Due to growing interest in the CCPS preschool program, it was proposed to the school board that over-income families that do not qualify for free preschool are allowed to attend on a first come first serve basis. Due to income requirements of households attending for free, over income households will be required to pay a $200 tuition.

Michelle Ladd, director of preschool for CCPS, said there are about 30 non-qualifying students hoping to attend right now. She further assured the board that these students would not take the place of already qualifying preschoolers, and there is some wiggle room with expanding into other classrooms if there is enough interest.

The motion was passed by the board. Over income households are now welcome to apply online if their four-year-old child meets the age requirement or has qualifying disabilities to attend at a younger age.