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Lexington 1 doubles pre‑K capacity over four years; 261 remain on waiting list
Summary
Coordinator Jessica Buzart reported that Lexington 1 now serves 720 pre‑K students (up about 300 since 2022‑23), added 15 classes across the district and uses CERDEP eligibility rules; the current waiting list is 261 students, 60 of whom already meet acceptance criteria.
The board heard a preschool update showing steady expansion of Lexington County School District One’s 4K program and significant demand from families.
Coordinator Jessica Buzart said the district now serves about 720 students in its pre‑K general education programs, an increase of roughly 300 students since 2022‑23. Over four years the district added 15 classes, representing about 300 more seats. Buzart described how the Child Early Reading and Development Education Program (CERDEP) eligibility is applied: priority is given to families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, students on Medicaid, and then children who score at or below the 25th percentile on the DIAL developmental screener in two of three domains.
Buzart noted the district’s waiting‑list management: at the time of the meeting there were 261 students on the waiting list, 60 of whom already meet program eligibility and roughly 32 who have yet to be screened. The estimated one‑time start‑up cost to open a new 4K class is about $35,000; annual operating cost is roughly $138,000 (salary and benefits for a teacher and an instructional assistant, plus recurring supplies). Funding for 4K combines district general fund dollars and CERDEP allocations; 95% of spending goes to salaries and benefits, and about 4% to instructional materials.
Board members asked clarifying questions about class size and staffing: Buzart said typical staffing is one teacher and one instructional assistant with up to 20 students (a 10:1 ratio). The board discussed the waiting list mechanics and the district’s efforts to connect families with partner programs, including South Carolina First Steps, to place children who cannot yet be served.
What happens next: the district will continue to monitor waiting lists, screening and CERDEP eligibility and pursue startup options where funding allows.
