Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pre K Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RSU 18 board seeks parent, school input as it explores expanding pre-K
Summary
Programs committee launched planning toward possible expansion of half-day pre-K services, approving two surveys—one for families (current pre-K and kindergarten parents) and one for other public schools on funding and full-day program logistics.
The RSU 18 Programs Committee reported that it is exploring expanding the district’s half-day pre-K program and will gather community and district-level data before recommending next steps. The committee asked administrators to finalize and distribute two surveys: one for families of current pre-K students and kindergarten families who did and did not attend pre-K, and a second for public schools in the area about how they fund and operate full‑day pre‑K programs.
Committee members said the surveys will ask families about the other half of the day (where children spend time), interest in full-day pre-K, and transportation needs. Administrators will also collect information from neighboring public schools on funding mechanisms, hours, and transportation solutions to understand cost and operational models.
Officials emphasized teacher input and child-development considerations. "All of our elementary-school principals joined us for that meeting, which was very helpful to get their perspectives and experiences with the program so far," a committee member said. The committee plans to use survey results to inform any proposal to expand offerings, recognizing that state policy changes will eventually require services to certain age groups.
Next steps: finalize surveys, distribute to families and schools, and return results to the committee to shape recommendations about whether and how to expand pre‑K.
