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Pillager board moves to start fee‑based three‑year‑old classroom pilot
Summary
Staff presented a fee‑based proposal for a two‑day morning three‑year‑old early‑childhood program (with an every‑other‑Friday option); the board moved to approve establishing the program and asked staff to finalize fees, curriculum and space usage. Transportation will be family‑provided and initial survey data showed interest.
The Pillager Public School District board discussed and moved to establish a fee‑based three‑year‑old early‑childhood pilot program after staff presented survey results and a program model.
Ryan, a district staff member, described the proposal as a morning, two‑day‑a‑week program with an every‑other‑Friday arrangement and said the program would be fee‑based while using existing classroom space. Staff reported a family survey showing roughly 65% interest among respondents and noted that transportation would not be provided by the district; Ryan told the board 41% of surveyed families said they would still enroll their child even if families had to supply their own transportation.
Staff also explained the program would use special‑education staff already on campus to "push in" as needed and that the district could use state Pathway‑1/Pathway‑2 mechanisms to help families that otherwise could not afford fees. The board discussed capacity, licensing and space considerations, and members asked staff to clarify curriculum, final fees and enrollment processes before the program begins.
Board action: During the personnel portion of the meeting a motion to approve starting the fee‑based three‑year‑old program was moved and seconded. The transcript records the motion and the staff presentation; staff were directed to finalize the fee schedule, specify curriculum (staff said Scholastic materials were being considered for early‑childhood use), and return implementation details to the board.
Why it matters: The program creates an earlier entry point for local children into school readiness programming and may increase access for families seeking structured early‑childhood experiences. The program is fee‑based and does not include district transportation, which staff said could limit participation for some families.
