Prekindergarten classes set to begin on Jan. 8

A state Education Department grant will help pay the cost of full-day prekindergarten classes expected to begin Jan. 8.

A $161,682 state Education Department grant will help pay the cost of full-day prekindergarten classes expected to begin Jan. 8, 2018, school district officials said.

At a Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Seth Turner said the district plan is to begin the program after the December holiday break.

The full-day program is to serve 48 students through two classes operated by Head Start in Cahill Elementary School, which will have one room for threeyear-olds and another for four-year-olds, and one class run by the Children’s Workshop for four-year-olds at Mount Marion Elementary School.

Weekly meetings have been held to plan the program, said Assistant Superintendent Lawrence Moutone, ”so we would welcome (it) if someone from the board wanted to sit in on that committee.”

Officials in a press release stated that both preschool providers “use a curriculum that flows seamlessly” with district programs.

“Specific criteria for placement in the program are still being developed, but students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged, and English Language Learners will be given first priority,” Moutone said. “Any seats that remain will be assigned by a lottery system.”

Turner said a formal announcement of the funding had been delayed until the district was assured state authorization had been given. He added that state officials said an appeal period was scheduled to expire on Friday.

“We needed to guarantee the money was going to be there,” he said. “They let us know (Tuesday) that they had to allow for 30 days for someone to appeal this.”