Weston County board discusses junior-kindergarten and district-run childcare after local center reduces capacity
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Summary
Following a local daycare’s decision to scale back enrollment, board members, parents and the district’s children's center director discussed options including junior kindergarten, repurposing school space and funding mechanics (ADM, Title I, TANF). No formal policy was adopted.
Weston County board members and community speakers discussed potential district responses after a local childcare provider reduced enrollment, leaving some families worried about available care.
At the meeting, Kim, a local resident, told the board that "with the downsizing of a local daycare in town, the little ones, [this is] affecting several families," and urged the district to explore junior-kindergarten or pre-K academy models other Wyoming districts use. Kim said she spoke with other districts and learned some count younger students into average daily membership (ADM) and use Title I and other grants to help fund early childhood classes.
Children’s center director Francie explained the center’s current operations and funding limits: preschool child care is largely funded by tuition and a TANF grant (Francie said she receives about $50,000 a year to support 18 TANF spots), Region 3 funding is based on annual counts (federal Dec. 1, state May 1), and Weston County provides a small required match (Francie said Weston County’s contribution is about $12,000). "We know how to do a lot with a little bit of money," Francie said, while warning that staffing shortages are a core constraint.
District staff and board members described quick, informal brainstorming rather than a concrete plan. They identified possible physical spaces that could be repurposed — the high school library, an 'outback' area, or rooms near the elementary school — but noted remodeling (toilet upgrades, safety modifications) and ongoing staffing costs would be required. A board member cautioned that major-maintenance funds likely would not cover the kind of renovations needed and that any remodeling would come from the general fund.
Board members also discussed how junior kindergarten works in other districts. Staff said students who have turned 5 by the district cutoff can be counted in ADM, which can help cover teacher salaries; other programs cited in the meeting used Title I, BOCES and various grants to support four-year-old classes.
No formal vote or policy action occurred at the meeting. Board members said the topic was raised in response to a sudden capacity change at a local daycare and that further study — including surveys of community interest, staffing feasibility, and a review of funding options — would be required before any district program is proposed.
The board did not adopt a program and left next steps as follow-up research and further discussion at future meetings.
