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Superintendent pitches full-day 3-year-old program to retain students; estimates $160,000 startup cost

Poteau Public Schools Board of Education ยท January 13, 2026
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Summary

Superintendent described enrollment decline over 10 years, credited PVA growth (100+ students), and proposed a full-day 3-year-old program (two teachers, capacity up to 40) to keep families in the district; estimated first-year cost about $160,000 and no formal vote was taken.

Superintendent/Presenter (Speaker 7) told the board Poteau Public Schools has experienced a decline in student enrollment over the past decade and that competition from neighboring districts offering three-year-old programs is contributing to the loss of young families. The district's Poteau Virtual Academy (PVA) has grown rapidly to more than 100 students, which administrators said demonstrates demand for new program models.

To address early enrollment loss, the superintendent proposed launching a full-day 3-year-old program for the next school year with two teachers and capacity for up to 40 children. He estimated the startup cost would be about $160,000 for the first year and framed the expense as a short-term investment to improve long-term enrollment and retention. "Short term, it's gonna cost us about $160,000 next year...Long term, if we keep kids in Poteau, we're...making money," the presenter said.

Board members voiced support and discussed logistics, food cost implications and certification; district staff said they would work with child nutrition and other departments to refine costs and plans. No formal action was requested at the meeting; administrators asked for informal board blessing to continue planning.