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Waunakee 4K providers urge higher reimbursements as state 'Get Kids Ready' program forces a choice
Summary
Three local 4K providers told the Waunakee Community School District board they are operating at a loss and urged higher reimbursement as a new state program will require centers to choose between district contracts and state funding for 2026–27.
Three community 4K providers told the Waunakee Community School District board they are struggling to keep programs financially viable and urged the district to consider raising reimbursement rates as the state’s new Get Kids Ready program creates a forced choice for centers.
Maria Fitzgibbon, owner of the Village Early Childhood Center (formerly Leap Academy), said reimbursement rose from roughly $3,300 per child in 2015 to about $3,600 now while operating costs for staff, insurance and food have climbed. “In 2023 and 2024, our center lost $30,700 in 2023 and $30,300 in 2024 on the 4K program,” she told the board and said a meaningful increase is “essential for my center and for the other centers to continue in this partnership.”
Sandra Brissett, director of Peace Lutheran Preschool, said her program also operates at a loss without church subsidy and stressed the need for increased payments to cover overhead. Brissett described rising behavioral and mental‑health needs among 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds and said the preschool has privately funded a mental‑health therapist because “those services could not take place within the 4K time.”
Bob Davis of Inspire Early Childhood urged the board to consider additional open‑enrollment options so district classroom counts remain strong if some providers choose the state program, saying increased district enrollment would help both centers and schools. “I’d like to propose to consider additional open enrollment,” he said.
District staff and the budget committee told the board the state program, which begins in 2026–27, will require providers to choose between contracting with the district or with the state. Steve, a district budget presenter, said that providers must make a choice early in 2026 and the district intends to accelerate its planning timeline so centers can decide: the budget committee plans meetings with providers in November and December and could bring 2026–27 4K contracts to the board for consideration in December.
The district also highlighted potential fiscal ripple effects: staff explained that a significant loss of counted 4K students could reduce state equalization aid and lead to higher property tax levies, and the board discussed scenarios that showed substantial aid and levy impacts under different enrollment outcomes.
Board members thanked the providers for the presentations, reiterated the value of community partnerships, and said they would continue the dialogue through the budget process and upcoming community meetings. The board is scheduled to host additional meetings with 4K directors and community sessions about school finance next week and will revisit 4K contract options in December.
