COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District will offer the K4 pre-school program this coming school year after all.
After the school board voted 5-2 on May 19 to eliminate the program in anticipation of dramatic state funding cuts, the administration announced in a statement Thursday that it will continue K4 by funding it through the federal Title 1 program. K4, which is a half-day program, previously was funded through the district's general fund.
Formal approval by the school board is expected at its August meeting.
The only difference is that transportation will be provided only one way, Superintendent James Zack said.
Parents will have to arrange to have their children picked up at the end of the morning session and dropped off at the start of the afternoon session. Children arriving for the morning session and leaving after the afternoon session will be transported as part of normal bus runs.
Zack said it's difficult to predict how the transportation setup might impact the program, but acknowledged it could reduce participation.
The Title 1 funding reallocation to K4 will mean there is less money available for other district use of those funds, but the administration noted the importance of early childhood education.
"The board of school directors, administration and staff recognize the critical need. Early childhood is a crucial time for whole child development - social norms along with brain development," the district statement reads. "Early childhood education provides long-term benefits to the participants in areas of education, health and social development. Research has proven that these benefits translate into long-range effects of higher percentages of high school graduates, continuation of post high school education, higher income, longer marriages, a higher rate of home ownership, and a lower percentage of recipients of welfare or arrest for committing a crime."
Existence of K4 beyond the 2011-12 school year will be determined by the Title 1 funding level, Zack said.
The federal government provides Title I funds to schools based on the number of economic disadvantaged students, to help those students who are struggling. Shamokin Area's elementary level qualifies as a schoolwide program, so all students can receive help, Zack said.
Parents are asked to notify the elementary office at 648-5721 to confirm their child's registration for the K4 program by July 29.