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Pasco officials cite uneven pre-K demand, Head Start grant denial; urge focus on kindergarten readiness
Summary
District early-learning staff reported increased pre-K availability at schools but uneven parent demand across communities, a denied Head Start expansion grant for northwest Holiday, and data showing VPK completers are more likely to be kindergarten ready.
At a Pasco County School Board workshop, early-learning leaders Vicky and Melissa reported increases in school-based pre-K access but said demand and funding remain uneven across the county.
Vicky told the board the district has increased the share of elementary schools offering some pre-K from 47 percent to 82 percent since a commitment to expand access. Staff pointed to steep demand in some places — for example, Kirkland K–8 received 72 parent-pay applications for 36 available slots — while other campuses saw very low interest (one campus reported three parent-pay applications during the first window). Vicky said…
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