Everett School Committee to consider free full‑day preschool; staff outline models, timeline and costs

Superintendent William Hart told the Everett School Committee on Jan. 20 that the district is preparing to offer a free full‑day preschool program and asked the committee to let staff continue planning and bring the policy to a vote in February. Assistant Superintendent Margaret Adams laid out three program models, enrollment procedures and staffing estimates.

Adams said the district reviewed five years of enrollment and an inventory of available classroom space, and proposed a mix of multi‑age classrooms (3‑ and 4‑year olds looped for two years), a pre‑K full‑day model for 4‑year‑olds, and a preschool model for 3‑year‑olds that would include a mix of full‑ and half‑day options. "We want to make sure any student who enrolls during the year still has an option," Adams said, explaining the reason for keeping some half‑day slots while expanding full‑day capacity.

On finances and staffing, Adams told the committee the plan would rely largely on existing staff with minimal additional hires: "In our models the only additional staffing we would need is one paraprofessional at Adams to facilitate a multi‑age classroom and maybe $30,000 to $40,000 of furniture and materials." She said the district intends the program to be free to families: "There would be no cost."

Adams outlined procedures the district would use for enrollment: families would indicate interest beginning in March, the district would hold a lottery in May if needed, and the district would verify residency within approximately 60 days of notification for full‑day placements. She also described class size planning tied to state regulations and inclusion goals: three‑year‑old classrooms up to 16 students (with up to five special‑needs students), pre‑K up to 18 (including five special‑needs slots), and multi‑age classrooms of about 15 students (7 special‑needs, 8 general education) with additional paraprofessional support as required.

Committee members asked whether full‑day programming would change family costs or materially affect the FY27 budget. Adams replied the program is designed to be free to families and that expected additional budget needs would be small and included in FY27 planning. Superintendent Hart said staff will continue to refine space and staffing plans and to consult teachers before bringing an action to the committee.

The committee voted unanimously to add the full‑day preschool proposal as a formal line item on the February agenda for a committee vote, allowing staff to continue the implementation planning in the meantime. The superintendent said registration would begin in March with a May lottery if necessary and, pending committee approval, the district would aim to implement the program in September.