Parents, teachers and program leaders pressed the Francis Howell R-III Board on Nov. 20 to keep the district’s full-day early childhood program, saying the classes produce measurable academic gains and provide a crucial entry point for families.

"We have 106 children still enrolled in full time care this year, generating over $1,000,000 in tuition and supply fees," said a parent who identified herself as Catherine, adding that families choose Francis Howell despite higher costs countywide. Several speakers, including kindergarten teacher Amanda Harrison and parent Sarah Simpson, described early-childhood services that support students with speech and IEP-driven needs and said reductions would impede kindergarten readiness.

The concern was raised against a broader financial backdrop presented by Dr. Amy St. John, the district’s finance lead, who told the board the district is updating allocations and that this month’s budget amendments reflect normal fall adjustments. St. John cautioned the board about state-policy risks: "If Senate Bill 3 freezes property assessments, the first-year effect could be about $4,000,000 for a district like ours," she said, adding that longer-term impacts could be larger and that administrators will bring more detailed scenarios in December.

Interim Superintendent Mark Delaney reiterated that administration "has not made any decisions regarding the number of full day classrooms" and said the district plans to bring a recommendation to the January board meeting. "Our desire is to continue to offer full day tuition based programs," Delaney said, while acknowledging the district must legally provide special education and is evaluating space and demand.

Board members approved several related operational items the same night, including the consent agenda, monthly financial report and a summer-school proposal priced at about $1.9 million that the presenter said should largely be reimbursable through attendance-based DESE claims.

What’s next: The administration will return in December with more budget details and a January recommendation on early childhood program placements. Families will be notified of any program or rate changes after the board’s January meeting.