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Board approves first reading of revised pre‑K enrollment policy to loosen timelines and clarify lottery/wait‑list rules
Summary
The board approved a first reading of Policy 5150.1 to clarify pre‑K lottery and wait‑list rules and to remove specific notification timelines so families can be informed earlier.
The Ithaca City School District Board of Education on April 29 approved for first reading a revision to Policy 5150.1 on pre‑K enrollment that clarifies lottery procedures and removes specific timelines for family notification.
Deb Jordan, who presented the item, said revisions will explicitly state the district uses a random lottery and will remove fixed dates such as a June notification deadline to allow the district to notify families earlier. The policy language will also clarify wait‑list processes and allow staff to use date‑stamped application receipts to establish order when appropriate. Jordan said the district will accept applications on a first‑come, first‑served basis if the universal pre‑K grant has not reached capacity.
Board members asked enrollment questions, including current capacity and how state proposals to expand pre‑K might change district funding. Jordan said universal pre‑K grants are an important funding source and that she will follow up on funding details in Albany. The board approved the first reading; the policy will return to the policy committee for one more review and then come back to the board for adoption.
Board members noted the district is nearing capacity for next year’s pre‑K and that the policy committee may bring the policy back to the board in time to meet enrollment timelines.
