Parents of preschool students will pay more for their child’s tuition when the new school year starts in the fall.

On Monday night, Dartmouth School Committee members voted to increase preschool tuition from $4,000 annually to $4,500 for a five-day a week program with six and a half hours of class time each day.

School Committee members briefly debated the increase before the vote. Committee member Dr. Shannon Jenkins said more effort should be made to attract students into the program.

“We need to think about how we as a district can do better outreach,” she said. “Let’s think about expanding access to preschool students to get them in so we can really help.”

Jenkins said the increase likely wouldn’t have too much of an impact on Dartmouth families who pay full price. Superintendent Bonny Gifford noted that a sliding scale for tuition is available for qualifying families.

“We’re charging significantly below market rates,” said Jenkins. “On the other hand, we don’t have a lot of low-income students attending preschool.”

Gifford said the preschool program will feature an additional class next year. Also, the fiscal year 2017 budget includes funding for a new full-time preschool teacher.

James Kiely, the school business administrator, said tuition prices have been a moving target during his five years in the district. In the past, the School Committee approved decreasing tuition.

Looking ahead, Chair Chris Oliver said the committee should consider opening a preschool program for the benefit of parents in other parts of Dartmouth.

“We need to look at bringing a preschool program to the north end of town or at least a central location,” Oliver said. “It is a burden for parents down on Reed Road.”

The committee voted 4-0-1 in favor of the tuition increase, with member Chris Garth abstaining.