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Parents and council press Parlier preschool on enrollment, funding and access
Summary
Representatives of the Academy of Excellence described new Department of Education funding and plans to serve 2-year-olds. Councilors and residents asked for non-identifying enrollment summaries and improved outreach after public reports of low attendance.
Representatives for the local preschool program presented details about a new Department of Education contract and enrollment plans while residents urged greater program outreach and transparency. At the start of public comment, a speaker noted the Academy's "current contract with Department of Ed for the 24-25 fiscal year" and cited a contract amount in the public record.
Council members and staff emphasized the need for non-identifying attendance reports. Acting staff asked for a six-month attendance summary to show trends without releasing confidential sign-in data: "Maybe you can put, just a summary ... for the last 6 months of the enrollment. Not names and not identifying information, but give your mayor and the city council an accurate picture of attendance," the staff member said.
Parents and councilors raised concerns that low enrollment could threaten the program if the state reassigns funding, and recommended outreach through school districts, flyers and online forms. Speakers also noted that adding two-year-olds to the program is a significant expansion that could increase enrollment but will require classroom adjustments and additional supplies.
