(A) The board of education of a school district, except a cooperative education district established pursuant to section 3311.521 of the Revised Code, may establish and operate a program to provide services to preschool-age children, provided the board has demonstrated a need for the program. A board may use school funds in support of preschool programs. The board shall maintain, operate, and admit children to any such program pursuant to rules adopted by such board and the rules of the state board of education adopted under sections 3301.52 to 3301.57 of the Revised Code.

A board of education may establish fees or tuition, which may be graduated in proportion to family income, for participation in a preschool program. In cases where payment of fees or tuition would create a hardship for the child's parent or guardian, the board may waive any such fees or tuition.

(B) No board of education that is not receiving funds under the "Head Start Act," 95 Stat. 489 (1981), 42 U.S.C.A. 9831, on March 17, 1989, shall compete for funds under the "Head Start Act" with any grantee receiving funds under that act.

(C) A board of education may contract with any of the following preschool providers to provide services to preschool-age children, other than those services for which the district is eligible to receive funding under section 3317.0213 of the Revised Code :

(1) Any organization receiving funds under the "Head Start Act";

(2) Any nonsectarian eligible nonpublic school as defined in division (H) of section 3301.52 of the Revised Code;

(3) Any child care provider licensed under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code.

Boards may contract to provide services to preschool-age children only with such organizations whose staff meet the requirements of rules adopted under section 3301.53 of the Revised Code or those of the child development associate credential established by the national association for the education of young children.

(D) A contract entered into under division (C) of this section may provide for the board of education to lease school facilities to the preschool provider or to furnish transportation, utilities, or staff for the preschool program.

(E) The treasurer of any board of education operating a preschool program pursuant to this section shall keep an account of all funds used to operate the program in the same manner as the treasurer would any other funds of the district pursuant to this chapter.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Effective Date: 07-01-1998; 05-18-2005; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007.