Judson ISD clarifies savings and timeline after prior vote to end PK‑3 program

District staff clarified details after trustees referenced an earlier board decision to end the district‑run PK‑3 (pre‑kindergarten 3) program. Administrators said the program served about 360 children this year, including 29 participation slots for district employees’ children (Bright Beginnings); of those 29, eight qualified for subsidized placement and 21 paid full tuition.

Staff estimated the program employed about 18 full‑time equivalent teachers and paraprofessionals; rough savings from eliminating the program were described as a combination of teacher and paraprofessional positions. Administrators estimated the gross savings would be “just over $2 million” when combining teacher and paraprofessional salary lines, but said staff would calculate precise figures for the district budget. District staff noted an urgent communications and operational sequence: principals must be notified, registration stopped, master schedules rebuilt, and staff reassigned to other certified positions where appropriate.

Administrators said most PK‑3 students typically roll into pre‑K‑4 the following year, and the 29 Bright Beginnings children from this cohort would already be pre‑K‑4 for next year; the district does not yet know how many future incoming siblings or new registrants the change may affect and said it will notify families and principals promptly.

The board did not revisit the prior vote during this meeting but asked administration to coordinate communications and to return with additional, detailed fiscal calculations.