Chandler Unified outlines expansion of preschool while warning funding limits could curb growth

Dr. Fletcher and district early‑learning staff presented a plan to expand Chandler Unified School District’s preschool and pre‑K programming during a board study session, emphasizing both recent enrollment gains and persistent funding limits.

The presentation framed the issue in national and state terms. “Roughly only 18% or 4,200,000 children in the country have access to an early childhood programming between the ages of 0 and 4,” Dr. Fletcher said, noting Arizona’s share of younger learners in high‑quality settings had risen recently but that much of that growth relied on short‑term federal dollars.

The board heard why the district is pursuing growth and alignment. District staff said Chandler Unified currently serves roughly 1,000 preschool‑age children on a steady basis over the past five years and counted 941 enrolled at the time of the presentation. The district’s demographer estimates about 16,000 children ages 0–4 live within CUSD boundaries. “As of 2526, starting next year and beyond, we will have approximately 47 preschool, pre kindergarten classrooms,” Dr. Marshall said when describing the enrollment and classroom targets the district plans to reach.

Why it matters: early…