A program that provides free preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds in USD 257 will receive full funding as it prepares for its third year.
Jenna Higginbotham, curriculum director who oversees the preschool program, told school board members the program will receive $290,250 to continue next year. That’s $80,000 more than last year.
This year, the program has 68 3-year-olds and 95 4-year-olds.
Next year, Higginbotham’s early enrollment figures indicate the program will have at least 61 3-year-olds and 75 4-year-olds. Typically, final enrollment in August is even higher.
Administrators believe the preschool program has helped attract more kindergarteners to the Iola schools, and has made those students better prepared for school.
Early projections show about 90 students are expected to enroll in kindergarten next year.
Two preschool classes performed songs for board members as part of Higginbotham’s presentation.
Facilities request
Nathan Fawson with Southeast Kansas Mental Health asked the district for permission to use McKinley Elementary School this summer and next school year for the Southeast Kansas Achievers program.
The program works with youth to develop attitudes and behaviors needed to function at home, school and in the community. The youth take part in team building and character building programs, community field trips, and arts and crafts. They work on such things as problem solving, social skills, leisure time training and personal relationships.
It is available on an after-school basis and an all-day summer program.
It’s good to offer the program at a school, Fawson said, because that type of environment is more familiar to participants.
Board members were eager to approve his request, but the situation is a little more complicated because the district plans to close the three existing elementary schools this summer in preparation for a move to the new Iola Elementary School.
The elementary schools are expected to be sold to BNIM, an architecture firm that wants to convert them to apartments. That process is going to take some time, perhaps a couple of years.
In the meantime, the school district will need to maintain the schools.
SEKMHC will pay the cost of utilities and maintenance, Fawson said.
