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Haslett officials propose two-classroom GSRP pre-K pilot at Wilkshire for fall
Summary
School leaders proposed piloting two Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) four-year-old classrooms at Wilkshire this fall, citing an ISD needs assessment that 36% of eligible kindergarteners are served elsewhere and describing startup funding and next steps toward licensing and board approval.
Haslett Principal Stephanie Horvath and Director of Technology Jamie Dewitt proposed a pilot to launch two Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) four‑year‑old classrooms at Wilkshire in the coming fall, saying the program would bring state‑funded preschool seats into Haslett for the first time.
Horvath told the board the district is “drastically under‑serving our four‑year‑olds,” noting an Ingham ISD needs assessment showing 36% of incoming eligible kindergarteners are currently served by GSRP programs elsewhere and that Haslett is the only district in the county without a district‑based preschool. She said the pilot would employ one lead teacher and one assistant per classroom, run five days per week on the Haslett calendar, and enroll through the ISD so Haslett residents would be prioritized.
The presenters outlined the funding model the ISD has offered: state per‑pupil foundation funding for five‑day preschool would cover routine classroom costs if state funding levels remain steady, and the ISD provides startup grants that the district estimated at a minimum of $25,000 per classroom to cover materials, training, licensing and fingerprinting. Horvath said the ISD also provides licensing support and outreach to families. The team reported 28 families had already indicated interest via an informal Google form shared at kindergarten roundups.
Board members asked about class size, special education coordination and how the proposal differs from an existing MSU program. Dewitt and Horvath said schools would follow GSRP limits (the presenters cited a GSRP staffing ratio of one teacher per 10 students), projected about 20 students per classroom for budgeting discussions, and said the MSU program would continue independently because of differences in curriculum, philosophy and calendar. On special education, Horvath said district staff (Mrs. Dobson and Mr. Hamilton were named in the discussion) had been consulting to assess caseload implications.
Horvath asked the board to consider a hopeful approval in May so the district could finalize licensing, post positions, and have training and classroom setup in place for fall. She said the ISD finance team will meet with district staff later in the week to finalize the financial model.
The proposal remains a recommendation until the board takes formal action. Horvath said next steps include completing licensing, finalizing the finance plan with the ISD, and returning to board committees for further review if requested.
Provenance: Presentation and Q&A, SEG 1008–SEG 1564.
Speakers quoted or summarized in this article appear in the meeting record as Principal Stephanie Horvath (presenter), Director of Technology Jamie Dewitt (presenter) and district staff referenced during Q&A.
