Waynesville R‑VI says pre‑K expansion is growing after Prop 2; district weighs transportation and schedule changes

Waynesville R‑VI administrators told the board the district's early childhood program has expanded substantially and is meeting commitments tied to a 2024 Proposition 2 vote to increase pre‑K access.

"The most important thing I'm gonna tell you is we are growing," Mr. Henderson said when presenting the early childhood update, noting the district has increased full‑day pre‑K seats and is offering more classes at multiple sites.

Henderson said the district currently serves roughly 264 four‑year‑olds in pre‑K (full‑day programs apply to 4‑year‑olds) and reported a full‑day wait list of about 41 students; he said earlier wait lists reached about 100 before the district opened additional seats. Administrators use the ELK (Emerging Language and Literacy) curriculum and said kindergarten readiness measures have improved: students with no pre‑K were 23.9% at risk for reading challenges in prior reporting; half‑day participants were 15.2% at risk and full‑day participants 8.1%.

Next steps Henderson outlined include studying start and end times to align pre‑K with elementary schedules, pursuing transportation options and assessing after‑school care to help families. He also said building principals and teachers are collaborating through expanded Professional Learning Communities to support program quality.

The board discussed operational details but did not adopt new policy at the meeting. Administrators said they will return with proposals if adjustments to schedules or transportation require board action.