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Elmbrook board hears Dixon preschool results and plans for expansion
Summary
The Elmbrook School District updated the board on its Dixon preschool, reporting 61 current enrollees, a three‑star YoungStar rating, a $1,000 startup grant and plans to add a third classroom next year with tuition assistance and coordinated state aid.
Dr. Jeannie Sigindall, principal at Dixon Elementary School, updated the Elmbrook School District Board on the Elmwood Preschool program, saying, “We currently have 61 students in our program” and that the program earned a three‑star YoungStar rating after state review.
Why it matters: The program is intended to prepare children for kindergarten while also serving as a point of first contact for some families with the district. Administration said early screening through the preschool has identified children in need of services and steered them into IEP processes when appropriate.
Details: Sigindall said the program underwent a Department of Health and Human Services licensing review and earned a YoungStar quality rating; she told the board the district applied for and received a $1,000 grant used to buy reading materials and play resources. She outlined enrollment by attendance area and said 39 percent of preschool families are newly engaged with the district.
Lead teacher Erin Fossum described the classroom approach as “developmentally appropriate [and] inquiry‑based,” with literacy targets that include learning letters and sounds and daily opportunities to practice writing. Teacher Audrey Smith said the program uses a project approach that has included a tree study, nature walks and family‑centered events such as an Empty Bowls fundraiser and Stuff the Bus participation.
Administration reported that 41 families have already enrolled for next year and recommended expanding to three classrooms next year, adding teachers and assistants to create two morning and one afternoon sections (capacity at Dixon is limited to about three classrooms in the current facility). On finances, district staff described a sliding scale tuition assistance program benchmarked to federal free/reduced lunch metrics and said eligible families will be directed to apply for Wisconsin Shares to offset costs.
Board members asked about special‑education identification; the preschool team and a district speech pathologist said screenings have led to in‑school referrals and services, with the board hearing that six students currently receive speech services and three receive both speech and early‑childhood special‑education services.
Next steps: The preschool enrollment window and communications timeline announced during the presentation include a parent information night on Feb. 2, an enrollment window closing Feb. 16, and family notifications planned for Feb. 19. Administrators said they will return with budget and staffing details if the board approves expansion.
