District presents child development enrollment dip, program data and parent outreach plans

Latasha Kelly, director of the Child Development Program, presented enrollment and outcome metrics and explained efforts to raise participation. Kelly said year‑end enrollment for 2024–25 was 1,490 and acknowledged the program was down 69 students from the previous year. She described capacity figures: infant/toddler capacity up to 210 and preschool capacity up to 1,600.

"So for 24–25, in May 2025, our enrollment was 1,490 at the end of the school year," Kelly said, adding staff will run two enrollment fairs and distribute parent guides to increase participation. Board members pressed for more granular data; President Ceballos and others asked for a Friday update showing how many enrolled children live in-district versus children of district staff so trustees can see service-to-community ratios.

Nancy Carrillo, child development coordinator, described the district's VAPA offerings — dance, theater, art and other free classes — and events intended to engage families, including trunk-or-treat and a new 'Kidchella' event that drew large attendance. Carrillo highlighted that VAPA programming and events are provided free of charge through a VAPA grant and district support.

Trustees asked about program funding per pupil and outreach; Kelly said the state infant-and-toddler contract and other state funding support the program ("we receive a little over $24,000,000 to run those programs") and that per-child estimates vary. Trustees requested follow-up details on per-student funding, waiting-list numbers by site, and outreach plans targeting high-demand neighborhoods.