Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Learning Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pre-K absenteeism costs Glades County tens of thousands; board weighs dismissal policy and outreach
Summary
Board members said the district may be nearly $60,000 short because VPK/Pre-K students who do not attend do not generate funding. Members discussed dismissal after three unexcused absences, waiting-list policy, and the tradeoffs of removing students vs. preserving enrollment.
Several board members raised concerns that the district is losing VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) revenue because absent students do not generate state payments.
"We're not getting paid for those students if they don't come to school," said a board member during the education-program discussion, noting the district is carrying nearly a $60,000 shortfall linked to Pre-K attendance and associated reimbursements.
Board members discussed the Early Learning Coalition guidance and the typical three-unexcused-absence threshold for dismissal. They also noted operational complications: this year there is no waiting list to replace absent children, and some Pre-K students attend all day though the district receives payment for only half-days; dismissing a child with no waiting list could reduce future kindergarten inflow and generate community pushback.
The board directed staff to present a fuller report at the upcoming budget hearing, including enrollment, waiting-list status, attendance procedures, and options to improve outreach and compliance with VPK rules.
