Board hears options to stretch pre-K funding; endowment, capital fixes discussed
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Summary
Staff outlined short-term steps to make pre-K classrooms financially sustainable after a county reduction in funded classrooms, including certifying sites for NC Pre-K billing, limiting three-year-old enrollment, and seeking endowment or capital support for classroom capacity.
Dr. Thurns, district staff overseeing early childhood programs, told the board the county reduced pre-K classroom funding and the district used Title I carryover for the current year. Staff described immediate changes to increase sustainability: certifying two sites to bill NC Pre-K, increasing class size from 18 to 20 where appropriate to enable dual funding streams (NC Pre-K and EC), and prioritizing four-year-old slots because NC Pre-K funding covers only four-year-olds.
Dr. Thurns said certifying school sites for NC Pre-K is a longer process and that some facilities lack sinks, playground space or other site requirements, which restricts site choices. The staff also said stand-alone private pre-K sites often receive higher per-child reimbursement than school-based programs and that trade-offs exist when the district uses Title I or county funds.
Board members and staff discussed the county endowment’s role. Several board members urged early, coordinated advocacy to the endowment and suggested capital investments (classroom modifications, playgrounds) could produce longer-term returns versus operating subsidies. Staff said they would meet with the endowment, provide numbers ahead of the February application window and follow up with more detailed proposals.