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From the Department of Public Instruction
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster notified 32 school districts that their applications were approved to receive state funding for 4-year-old kindergarten (4K) start-up grants.
The Department of Public Instruction received applications to fund 4K programs for more than 4,000 students for the $3 million grant program. Because of the overwhelming demand, the department will prorate funding, which is currently estimated at $722 per child.
“Clearly, school districts know the value of early childhood education,” Burmaster said. “When children get an early start on learning, achievement gaps are halted before they begin.”
The DPI provided funding based on the number of applicants under the community approach statutory priority for 4K start-up grants. In a community approach to 4K, school districts form a council or advisory group and collaborate with a Head Start, licensed group-based child care or preschool center to provide 4K services. New 4K programs funded through these grants will start in the 2008-09 school year.
The projected funding estimate will be revised on July 15 after districts indicate whether they are remaining in the grant process and again in November 2008 after the first child count. Final aid allocations for 4K start-up grants will not be known until June 2009 after the audited 2008-09 school year child count.
“The community approach model of providing 4K services recognizes the shared responsibility for providing quality early care and education,” Burmaster said. “Communities want and need financial support to improve services for 4-year-olds.”
In her 2005-07 education budget, Burmaster requested a 4K start-up grant program. The grants would have provided support for districts that wanted to start early learning programs but have been hampered because it takes three years to get full funding for the program under revenue limits. The governor included the 4K start-up grants in his 2007-09 budget request. The new categorical aid provides two-year grants to cover the approximate portion of revenue limit authority for a 4K student that districts could not claim under the three-year rolling average for enrollments.
"The interest districts showed in applying for grants demonstrates the need for this funding,” Burmaster said. “I commend the governor and Legislature for supporting the education of children in their early years.”
4-year-old kindergarten estimated grants
Antigo, $73,644
Ashwaubenon, $72,200
Beloit Turner, $49,818
Black River Falls, $97,470
Brown Deer, $57,760
Campbellsport, $54,150
Columbus, $62,814
Deerfield Community, $28,880
Ellsworth Community, $57,760
Fort Atkinson, $126,350
Green Bay Area, $642,580
Hayward Community, $96,748
Janesville, $361,000
Jefferson, $79,420
Johnson Creek, $32,490
Luck, $25,270
Menomonie Area, $136,458
Mosinee, $72,200
Northland Pines, $42,598
Northwood, $12,274
Omro, $64,980
Pewaukee, $74,366
Phillips, $28,880
Port Washington-Saukville, $86,640
Prescott, $57,760
Saint Croix Falls, $43,320
Sauk Prairie, $101,080
Sheboygan Falls, $73,644
Spring Valley, $34,656
Stoughton Area, $101,080
Tomorrow River, $43,320
West De Pere, $108,300
Posted April 22, 2008