Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Learning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District expands early learning after $16,000‑per‑slot Preschool Promise awards and community matches
Summary
The district described growth in playgroups and a new full‑day preschool funded by state Preschool Promise slots ($16,000 per child), one‑time setup funds, and a $100,000 state grant matched by a $100,000 foundation offer to fund a Parkside playground and classroom expansion.
Annie Blanchard, the Grants Pass School District 7 early‑childhood coordinator, told the advisory committee the district is expanding early learning and has used playgroups as an entry point to reach families. She said playgroups grew from 24 to 40 families this year, and that playgroups act as a feeder to preschool and early‑intervention screening.
Blanchard described the Preschool Promise funding that enabled an 11‑slot full‑day program this year. “Preschool Promise is $16,000 per child,” she said, and added that the district received additional one‑time setup funds (about $2,000 per slot in year one) that provided $22,000 to set up the classroom. She said the district filled all 11 full‑time slots and that five families were able to return to full‑time work as a result.
On operating costs, Blanchard said running both current classrooms costs roughly $195,000 annually and that the program was about $20,000 short of full sustainability at the time of presentation; adding slots and staff is part of the sustainability plan.
Blanchard said the district has secured nearly $100,000 in state grant funds toward a second preschool site at Parkside and a matching $100,000 offer from the JTMF Foundation, giving $200,000 toward Parkside’s playground. She warned playgrounds are expensive: a recent Highland playground cost about $292,000 two years ago and comparable builds now can exceed $330,000, including fencing and gates.
The Parkside site is planned to open as part of a phased, two‑year build, with the classroom and playground work scheduled so new classroom capacity is available by fall 2027. Blanchard said Parkside would add 36 slots (an additional kindergarten classroom), while the Preschool Promise slots would remain at Highland where the program is established.
Committee members asked about family qualification, the 30% housing‑burden rule and whether the Preschool Promise slots must be re‑applied for annually; Blanchard said the district works with the early‑learning hub on placement and that income qualification is based on family gross income with an allowance in some cases for families spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Blanchard also described in‑class supports: playgroup screening (90 days), integration of early‑intervention specialists in playgroups, and a model that brings speech and developmental supports into the early‑learning classroom rather than outsourcing them.
The committee complimented staff and discussed logistical issues (staffing, transportation, playground design and canopies). Blanchard said community fundraising and sponsorships (including a planned golf tournament) will support the Parkside playground and classroom setup.
