The Wisconsin Rapids School District Board voted Dec. 8 to pilot a full‑day 4K program in two elementary schools beginning in the 2026‑27 school year.

Board members authorized one full‑day classroom at Mead and one at Grant Elementary, with a maximum capacity of roughly 20 students per classroom (about 40 students total in the pilot). Officials said the pilot could be implemented without hiring new staff initially by shifting existing half‑day 4K staff into full‑day roles and that typical staffing would include a teacher and at least one aide.

District 4K coordinator Terry Thomas and other staff described steps taken to evaluate sites — Mead and Grant were selected based on available space, hot‑lunch capacity and access to art, music and physical education. The pilot will be monitored by the existing committee and building leadership; the board asked that the pilot’s results and staffing implications be reported back before any districtwide expansion.

Board members discussed funding mechanics and state reimbursement: current state funding is calculated at 0.6 FTE per 4K, though some advocacy at the state level seeks a 1.0 FTE rate in the future. A board member noted possible enrollment increases if full‑day 4K becomes broadly available.

What happens next: administration will implement the pilot at the two sites for 2026‑27, monitor enrollment and staffing needs, and report findings to the board for a future recommendation on expansion or modification.