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Board hears options to early‑enroll preschoolers to recover funding and expand access
Summary
Board discussed ODE guidance that allows districts to admit children under the minimum age when the board determines the child would benefit; district currently serves 21 preschoolers and has 18 on a waiting list and is considering early‑enrollment policy parameters to count eligible 4‑year‑olds in ADM for funding.
Administrators told the board the district is exploring ways to expand high‑quality preschool access while recovering some costs. The presenter reported the district currently serves 21 preschoolers and already has 18 names on a list for next year; those children are not currently counted in the district ADM and thus do not bring federal or state reimbursement unless enrolled under district policy.
The presenter said the Oregon Department of Education indicated nothing in state rules prevents a district from admitting a child who has not attained the minimum age if the board finds the child would benefit; admission would allow the district to count the child for ADM and receive reimbursable meal funding. The board discussed setting policy parameters (age thresholds, documentation) and staffing considerations; staff noted the resource implications of adding three‑ and four‑year‑old programs and preferred a standalone 4‑year‑old preschool and a half‑day 3‑year‑old program.
Board members asked staff to draft policy options and review staffing and funding scenarios; no enrollment policy change was adopted that night.
