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Preschool wait list grows as board hears Little Pirates and Madison attendance and readiness data
Summary
Administrators reported 72 preschool slots filled and 50 children on the wait list for Little Pirates; board discussed preschool-promise funding limits, site capacity and potential expansion as part of early-learning goals.
Preschool and early-learning programs were a focus during the Coos Bay SD 9 special meeting as administrators briefed the board on capacity and early-childhood outcomes.
The Little Pirates preschool program (Speaker 11) reported 72 enrolled children with 50 on a waiting list (35 seeking Preschool Promise slots and 15 seeking tuition-based slots). Presenters described program goals that emphasize social-emotional learning and language development for 3- and 4-year-olds, and noted that 22% of enrolled preschoolers receive early childhood special education support through regional ESD partnerships.
Madison (Speaker 11) reported a regular-attender goal of 90% and described family-facing interventions to boost attendance (calendars showing '17 days' messaging to families and individualized attendance graphs at fall conferences). Administrators emphasized relationship-building strategies, home outreach and flexible supports — including occasional home pick-up — to address transportation or resource barriers identified by families.
Board members asked who competes for Preschool Promise slots in the region and whether the district has physical capacity to add classrooms; staff said North Bend currently operates 36 slots and that the district has a physical classroom available if funding and playground/site planning are addressed. Administrators said they will continue to pursue slots through the Early Learning Hub and explore additional funding options.
