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Powell Butte preschool pilot shows high attendance and large wait list as district plans expansion
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Summary
Powell Butte Elementary reported a full‑day preschool pilot serving 30 children with an 83% regular attendance rate, early DIBELS gains among a small cohort, and a wait list of roughly 30–50; the district signaled plans to add seats at Park Lane and Pleasant Valley.
Powell Butte Elementary's full‑day preschool pilot is showing early signs of success and strong demand, presenters told the Centennial School District board on March 11. Jared Austin and Diane Regis described an all‑day preschool model serving about 30 students ages 3–5 in two classrooms; presenters said preschoolers currently show an 83% regular attendance rate, higher than the building average.
Austin said initial literacy screening (DIBELS) showed roughly 7% of incoming kindergartners met benchmark in a previous year and about 11% in the most recent year; he described three children who attended the preschool pilot and later reached kindergarten benchmarks as early positive indicators. "We're seeing these kids coming in more ready," Austin said.
Presenters said the program has a waiting list of roughly 30–50 children and that space is the primary constraint. Kendra Hughes, who identified herself as representing the district's Preschool for All administration, said the program manages applications and the wait list. Hughes told the board that openings at Park Lane and Pleasant Valley are expected to add seats; she described that the Park Lane/Pleasant Valley expansion will "add about 60 more and 180 children in the fall," as she stated to the board.
Board members asked about prioritization and transitions; presenters said the district intends to prioritize students for preschool at their home schools as additional sites open and described efforts to transition second‑year preschoolers to their neighborhood schools. Presenters also noted field trips (OMSI, the zoo, pumpkin patch) and affirmed that preschool students participate in typical elementary activities, including assemblies and PE.
Transportation and logistics were discussed: presenters said preschoolers who move to their home school will be eligible for district transportation. No new budget appropriation or formal board action on preschool expansion was recorded in the public portion of the meeting; presenters and the superintendent framed expansion as a capacity and space issue.
What's next: district staff will continue opening additional classrooms and manage enrollment through the family application process.
