LEAP manager summarizes programs, enrollment and expansion of full-day preschool

Robin Bowman, manager of LEAP early education programs, presented an overview of preschool services at the Lakeside Union School District and described program growth, staffing and enrollment across LEAP sites.

Bowman said LEAP operates two campuses: Lindo Park (state-funded preschool classroom) and Marilla Campus (tuition-based preschool, wraparound care, SDC special day classes and assessment services). "We operate two campuses," she said, summarizing program differences and the district’s mix of state-funded and tuition programs.

Key program details Bowman reported: LEAP serves 234 students across all programs and employs 42 staff. Of those students, 96 were projected to transition to transitional kindergarten or kindergarten; Bowman said about 77 percent of those students are expected to remain in the Lakeside Union School District.

Bowman described the expansion this year of a structured 6-hour traditional English preschool class to meet parent demand; the program’s enrollment grew beyond initial expectations (the manager said the program had expected four students and reached 10). She also described wraparound care (extended-day services up to roughly 11.5 hours), early-start infant services (home visits and center-based services for qualifying infants), the preschool assessment team (PAT) and the special day class (SDC) extended-year services.

The presentation listed district support staff for early childhood: two speech-language pathologists, one SLP assistant and a school psychologist based at the Marilla campus, plus other evaluation and support staff for PAT work. Bowman said PAT had completed 55 initial evaluations so far this year and 36 children qualified for services.

Bowman invited trustees to ask questions and thanked staff and the board for ongoing support of LEAP services.