Jefferson County School District administrators recommended creating a pre-kindergarten program specifically for employees’ children, using available state-funded pre-K capacity to provide childcare that could improve staff retention and help employees return to work sooner.

Superintendent Dr. Arnold said the district currently operates state-funded pre-K seats that require income eligibility and that very few employees meet those income thresholds. He proposed using existing program capacity to offer seats for children of district employees so that staff who need childcare can keep working; the administration suggested Dandridge Elementary as a possible site.

Why it matters: Lack of affordable childcare can drive employees to delay returning to work or seek other jobs. The superintendent said the district has funding to pilot the program and that a staff survey showed strong interest. He told the board the program would not replace the existing state-eligible pre-K slots for income-eligible families but would make use of underfilled capacity to support employees.

Board members asked about demand, location and whether the district could staff the classrooms. Dr. Arnold said the district can fill the seats with employees’ children and that the program would be run by current pre-K staff; he said the district could expand to additional sites if the pilot succeeds. No vote was taken; the item was presented for board direction and will return in the business session with more operational details if the board wishes to proceed.

Ending: Administration will return with a proposed operational plan, location confirmation and staffing detail for board consideration.