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District adds preschool forest program, more PK3/PK4 seats and a full-day PK4 pilot with Boys & Girls Club
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Nikki Hanson outlined four early-learning initiatives: preschool forest programming at elementary sites, a districtwide PK3 Friday option adding 36 seats, an additional PK4 section (30 seats), and a full-day PK4 pilot at Discovery in partnership with Boys & Girls Club for 30 students.
Assistant Superintendent Nikki Hanson told the board the district will expand early-childhood opportunities next school year with four new initiatives intended to increase access and create a clearer pathway from age three through kindergarten.
Hanson said the district will implement preschool forest programming at all elementary sites, add an additional PK4 section (bringing a total of 450 PK4 seats districtwide and an extra 30 PK4 seats this cycle), expand a PK3 Friday option across all eight elementary buildings — creating 36 additional PK3 seats — and pilot a full-day PK4 program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota at Discovery Elementary for 30 students (15 AM and 15 PM cohort placements that can attend a full-day program).
Hanson reviewed May waitlist data: 32 students on the PK3 waitlist and 42 on the PK4 waitlist, down from prior years when waitlists numbered in the hundreds. She said the additional seats and program redesigns are expected to substantially reduce current waitlists.
On funding, Hanson said the expansion uses a mix of one-time district funds and state supports, including three‑year VPK funding opportunities where eligible, as well as pathway scholarships and targeted grants. Board member Scott Andresen asked whether the enrollment increase (the district recently reported more than 10,000 students) was related to the new programming; Hanson said the district has been strategic about using grants and available state funding to expand access.
The board praised the proposals as improving kindergarten readiness and increasing equitable access to early learning. Hanson said the district will continue outreach to families on waitlist paperwork requirements (birth certificates, immunizations) to ensure eligible students can accept open seats.
