Rotary-backed Preschool for Success reports higher early literacy and math scores, but waiting list persists

Amy Tromley and Gayla Holmgren, community volunteers from Rotary, told the St. Cloud Area School District Board of Education that the Rotary-led Preschool for Success partnership has raised more than $100,000 this year and is showing measurable early academic gains for participating children.

The program began as a Rotary signature project and has combined fundraising, volunteer “boots on the ground,” and partnership with District 742 staff and community organizations to place preschool classrooms in district elementary schools and community sites. “For every dollar invested in preschool, there’s a $16 return to the community,” Amy Tromley said while describing the Rotary club’s rationale for the project.

Why it matters: Board members said the program addresses access barriers and can improve long-term outcomes if sustained. Presenters and staff emphasized that state-level funding will be required to scale the model beyond the local pilot and that Rotary’s original exit plan relies on legislative support.

Key details and evidence: Rotary volunteers said the first year had limited capacity (25 finishing students) because the district lacked classrooms and bus routes; subsequent years reached about 96 students and similar fundraising totals (about $100,000+ per year). Program classes use the district’s preschool curriculum and are staffed by district teachers and paraprofessionals.

District data presented by Nikki Hanson and a Rotary analyst show higher early-assessment rates for Preschool for Success participants compared with the district average. FastBridge early-reading on‑target rates were reported at 42% districtwide and 49.6% for Preschool for Success participants (a 7.6 percentage‑point difference). For early math, districtwide on‑target was 62.6% versus 73.5% for participants (about an 11 percentage‑point difference). Presenters called these differences an indicator of positive impact while noting that more rigorous statistical analysis would require additional funding.

The program also reported a retention figure: presenters said about 80% of children who started in Preschool for Success were still enrolled in the district in later grades. Presenters said the program targets students living in poverty and multilingual learners, and that eligibility for the free seats is tied to free‑and‑reduced‑price lunch status (the district’s current socioeconomic qualifier).

Limitations and sustainability: Rotarians said the program’s long‑term plan depends on state legislative funding. “Our exit plan was the legislature,” a Rotary co‑chair said; the group is pursuing a state pilot bill that would provide two years of additional funding and require continued Rotary financial participation if enacted. The board and presenters acknowledged a current waiting list: presenters reported about 119 four‑year‑olds registered and waiting for seats.

Community partners named during the presentation included United Way, the Boys & Girls Club (used for initial classroom space), the Initiative Foundation, the Ritchie Foundation, St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club, Stearns Electric and other local philanthropies. Presenters said roughly 500–1,000 individuals have made modest scholarship donations and that a 15‑member Preschool for Success board meets monthly to coordinate fundraising and outreach.

Board reaction and next steps: Board members praised the public–private partnership and urged continued advocacy for state funding. Presenters said they will continue local fundraising, pursue legislative pilot funding, and provide additional data as the district’s assessment program collects longer trends.

Ending: Presenters asked the board for continued public support and said Rotary volunteers will testify in the state legislature if invited. The board placed no further action on tonight’s agenda; presenters and staff will return with follow‑up information as the pilot and legislative efforts develop.