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Council presses for enrollment numbers for Academy of Excellence; adds three toddler-teacher assistant positions
Summary
Council members asked staff for clear head-counts at the Academy of Excellence preschool and asked the academy to present enrollment updates; staff reported adding three teacher-assistant positions for the coming year.
Council members raised recurring concerns about enrollment and staffing at the Academy of Excellence preschool during the July 3 meeting, asking staff for clear, regular enrollment counts and presentations.
What council heard
Council member Sabrina Rodriguez and others said they had repeatedly requested head-count and enrollment trend data but had not received consistent answers. Rodriguez noted the toddler cohort reduces student‑to‑teacher ratios, which affects apparent enrollment numbers, and asked staff for quarterly or annual head‑count updates so the council can monitor participation.
Staff response and staffing change
Finance Director Myra said staff will provide enrollment numbers at the special budget workshop and that the academy could be scheduled to give an annual presentation at the council’s August meeting. Myra also confirmed a staffing change: the city “is adding 3 teacher assistants, taking it to 92 positions for 25/26,” a net increase from 89 positions in 24/25.
Context
Council members said the program’s purpose is early learning (Head Start focus) and stressed that attendance and participation figures affect funding and program delivery. One public commenter referenced a capped budget figure tied to projected enrollment and asked why current counts are below those projections.
Ending: Staff agreed to provide specific enrollment numbers at the July 8 workshop and to schedule an Academy presentation in August so the council can review participation trends and staffing ratios.
