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Parents and teachers urge board to keep Edward Kelly parent‑participation preschool open
Summary
Parents, teachers and community members told the board that closing Edward Kelly parent‑participation preschool would remove an affordable, high‑engagement early‑learning option for middle‑income families and damage community ties; speakers offered to fundraise and sacrifice benefits to reduce district costs.
Multiple parents, the Edward Kelly teacher and community advocates addressed the board in a group of public comments arguing that Edward Kelly’s parent‑participation preschool should remain open.
Speakers described Edward Kelly as a long‑running, community‑connected program that builds family engagement and prepares children for kindergarten. Several parents said they do not qualify for subsidized preschool but cannot afford private tuition; they said Edward Kelly uniquely fills that gap. The teacher (Amanda Chapman) and parents said they had absorbed program costs themselves (materials, fundraising) and offered to pursue a 501(c)(3) to raise supplemental funds.
Speakers also noted the school’s long history in the neighborhood and said closing it would be a loss of a generational resource; petition and sign‑on numbers were cited in support. Trustees acknowledged the passion of commenters and asked staff to provide the detailed cost breakdown and prior board communications that led to the November decision referenced by several speakers.
Why it matters: The decision affects access to early childhood education for families in specific neighborhoods and raises equity concerns for families who do not meet state subsidy thresholds but lack private options.
What’s next: Trustees asked for clearer budget documentation on the site‑level cost and decisions that produced the recommendation; some trustees requested the information be provided to the board and public in a follow‑up packet.
