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Pre‑K expansion shows rising applications; district plans to protect seats for children with special needs
Summary
School staff reported increased first‑round pre‑K applications (193 vs. 156 last year), ongoing incomplete files to be resolved, Head Start slots moving into neighborhood schools, and safeguards to reserve space and staffing for students with IEPs.
District early‑learning leaders updated the board on pre‑K expansion plans and enrollment figures at the retreat.
Miss Babin and Miss Weber told trustees the first recruitment and selection round produced 193 processed applications this year, up from 156 in the prior comparable period, with about 110–112 incomplete applications still being finalized online by families. Of new applications, leaders said 41 were Head Start‑qualified families. "We still have 112 incomplete applications; families are completing those on the portal and turning in documentation," Miss Babin said.
Staff presented school‑by‑school classroom projections and explained licensing differences: some stand‑alone early‑childhood centers are limited by Bulletin 137 and state licensing maximums (15–16 children per class at select centers) while on‑campus four‑year‑old classes can be larger (up to 20 in school classrooms). Miss Weber explained how special‑education rosters affect three‑year‑old classroom size: higher medical or support needs mean smaller rosters in specific classrooms to preserve quality of services.
Board members asked about capacity and whether the district would close or consolidate low‑enrollment sites; administrators said they are monitoring registration and will reallocate classrooms if necessary but will prioritize neighborhood access and educational considerations over purely financial consolidation. Leaders also confirmed that students with IEPs who qualify must be accepted and that the district will not deny placement based on Head Start or other fund source constraints.
Staff said they were using existing vacancies and staff reassignments (rather than new hires) to staff expansion without adding general‑fund costs this year. They will continue outreach to families who delay paperwork and plan further updates on staffing and enrollment prior to the board’s April job fair and final placements.
Next steps: staff will continue to process incomplete applications, finalize classroom allocations and provide a staffing report at the May board update.
