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Woodville parent urges board to let VPK students use extended‑care programs; staff to investigate
Summary
Parent Christy Tillman told the board VPK students at Woodville Elementary are excluded from before‑ and after‑school extended care, creating childcare barriers for working families; staff committed to research licensing and policy options and to follow up with the parent before the end of the week.
Christy Tillman, a parent of a rising VPK student at Woodville Elementary, told the Leon County School Board on July 29 that the district’s policy excluding VPK students from before‑ and after‑school extended care creates an equity problem for working families in geographically isolated areas.
Tillman described Woodville as a Title I, exurban school with limited private childcare options and said some families may skip VPK because they lack transportation or affordable care. She asked the board to investigate state and local barriers — including possible state statute, Department of Children and Families licensing or student classification issues — and to seek district workarounds so VPK students can access extended care in time for the coming school year.
Superintendent asked Dr. Gale to collect Tillman’s contact information and directed Director of Early Childhood Brooke Bruner to research the issue and follow up before the end of the week. Principal Molinaro had told Tillman the VPK program is relatively small and additional students in extended care would not strain capacity and could provide supplemental funding for programs.
The board did not take formal action but staff committed to investigate and report back to the parent and the board.
