Facilities staff told the board they have a $7.9 million range‑of‑magnitude estimate to complete pre‑K build‑out in the Merle Taylor/Horizon conversion, including interior renovations for 13 classrooms, a full kitchen and cafeteria, new playgrounds and site work such as additional parking and a drop‑off canopy. The district presentation emphasized interior upgrades (new slabs, kitchen equipment, play space, fire suppression) and exterior site work that together form the bulk of the estimate.

Facilities staff asked the board to allow the design team to continue finalizing construction documents so the project can be bid. Board members did not take a final construction funding vote at this meeting; instead staff were directed to continue refining the scope and cost and return with a revised estimate. Facilities said they will carry a contingency now and work to reduce the price; one board member requested a target closer to previously discussed figures and suggested a follow‑up workshop before December if needed.

Separately, the board approved opening a parent‑paid four‑year‑old classroom at Bobby G. Lester Elementary with 20 slots beginning January 2026. The fee was stated as $175 per child per week. Board members asked procedural questions about registration (staff said enrollments will be first‑come, first‑served) and confirmed the fee is weekly. The motion to approve the paid classroom passed unanimously.

Pre‑K director Mrs. Bradford also presented program information earlier in the meeting. She reported three pre‑K sites (Homer Atkins, Almeida Elementary and Bobby G. Lester) with current enrollments below capacity at some sites (Homer Atkins enrollment ~197; about 43 seats open and preschool 4 slots short across sites). Bradford described curriculum changes including Pre‑K Rise at pre‑K3 and implementation of Frogstreet curriculum for pre‑K (a pilot costing about $70,000 that the district said is being provided at no cost), participation in the CLASS pilot, and baseline kindergarten foundational survey results showing 42% of scholars scored low in letter knowledge at the start of the year.

Board discussion emphasized timing: facilities said the horizon scope could start Dec. 1 and estimated a roughly seven‑month construction timeline if the design proceeds. Staff noted they will continue work on design details and cost reduction strategies and return to the board with a refined presentation.