Melrose Preschool, After-School Price Hikes Raise Concern

MELROSE, MA — The School Committee on Tuesday night approved an increase in price for preschool and after-school programs that had some members expressing concern with rising costs for local families.

The price of after-school Education Stations for K-5 increased by 50 cents an hour. The yearly cost for 3:30 p.m. pick-ups is $1,674.50 and for 5:30 p.m. pick-ups is $4,408.

The price of the Franklin preschool tuition increased by 5 percent. The cost for two days is $4,174.75, three days is $6,133.54 and five days is $9,095.54.

Both increases passed with unanimously aside from Dorie Withey, who abstained due to using Education Stations.

A family which utilizes the 5:30 p.m. Education Station pick-ups and five-day preschool program would be on the hook for $13,503.54.

"That's a lot of money," Jen Razi-Thomas said. "And I know that the cost of everything is going up. I just am very concerned about that. I mean, it's a real problem."

Director of Finance and Administrative Affairs Leia DiLorenzo-Secor said the price increases are in response to the rising costs for supplies, fuel "and everything that's going on in the world right now."

Jen McAndrew said she wasn't "super thrilled" with the cost increase, adding she hopes such hikes don't become the norm.

McAndrew also urged the district to see if there is a way to offer the Education Stations for fewer than five days a week.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi and Instagram at Melrose Happening. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook