Board approves $80,000/year partnership for 'Read, Talk, Play Every Day' initiative, pending DPI approval

The Beloit School Board approved a three‑year funding commitment to expand Read, Talk, Play Every Day, a county early‑learning initiative aimed at strengthening birth‑to‑five family engagement and kindergarten readiness.

Jessica Austin, director of early brain development at the Stateline Community Foundation’s Literacy for Life, told trustees the program focuses on simple, everyday interactions that build early language and social skills. "By the time a child walks through the doors of a school for the first time, five years of learning and development have already occurred," Austin said in her presentation, arguing the initiative would help families reach children before kindergarten.

Bill Flanigan, chair of Literacy for Life, urged the board to view the request as an investment in the community’s economic future and cited research estimating multiple‑dollar returns over time for early‑childhood investments.

Board member Carol Fox moved the funding authorization from Fund 80 and added an amendment to make the commitment "pending DPI approval" of Fund 80 use. That amendment passed unanimously, and the motion to authorize $80,000 per year for three years carried on a unanimous vote.

Administration and presenters described how funds would be used: parent ambassador outreach, family engagement events at elementary schools, book distribution and a text‑messaging resource delivering weekly developmental tips in English and Spanish. Presenters emphasized partnerships with Head Start, hospitals and other county organizations to reach families and integrate messaging into existing community services.

The board asked for continued reporting on outcomes and partnerships as the program implements in the district.