NOTES FROM PARENT MEETING

Here is what was covered at the parents meeting last night. All in all it was good news. There are some rough spots that need to be worked out, but it was nice to have the information laid out so we can at least understand.

In attendance: Superintendant, Richard Tranner, Asst. Superintendant Dr. Steven Hirase, members of the school board and Rep. Cosgrove.

WHY? Why the problem now? A "concerned citizen" wrote to the state educational attorney. Through a Q and A, the question of: Can a school district have a preschool in which it charges tuition? The answer: The school district may have a preschool on its premises, but may not put any district funds toward program. The preschool would be a seperate entity that simply rents space from the district.

The current daycare that is ran at Murray High School is not included in this because it is part of the High school curriculum. Students can sign up for an actual class that helps to run the daycare.

The attorney sent the Q and A to Tranter. After discussing it with the school board and associates, Tranter took his questions to the attorney herself. She told him that they were definately running the preschool against state law and would have to change it.

After weeks of trying to come up with a plan that would keep the preschool open and be in compliance with the law, the school board came up with this solution:

Combine the preschool with headstart. The headstart program agreed that they could integrade the preschool children and teachers, but only gradualy. The first year they could only take 30-35 kids.

Being the only plan the district could come up with, they held the meeting last Monday night and informed the staff at the preschool of what was happening.

By the next morning Tranter had starting recieving calls from parents. He immediately got on the phone with the attorney. She told him that they were trying to come up with a plan to keep the school open. Tranter explained that their 45 day time frame was not going to work. Within a couple of hours they came up with a plan to keep the preschool open.....for good.

HOW?: The New Preschool

There should be no big changes to the school itself. The district will run the preschool through Special Education. The Federal law says that a school district must provide education for special ed students from age 3-22 years old. The students are to be combined with regular classroom students. Usually the ratio is more special ed students to non. In our case it is oppisite. About 1:4, 1 special ed students to 4 non special ed. By running the preschool through this program the school can stay open, but the only funds the district can put into it are for the special ed students. They can pay the teachers salaries and a small amount of funds for suplies, etc.

On a side note, there are currently 45 special ed students enrolled at the preschool. So, no change there.

HOW MUCH?
The school district has been putting aprox $50,000 into the preschool each year. They will not be able to do this. That money will need to be made up some where. Tuition will go up. Parents at the meeting made a point to tell the school board they'd rather pay higher tuition than to loose staff.

WHEN?
There are a couple of dates to list here.

One month: The school board will send out a letter in aprox. 1 month, with the details of the meeting as well as what they have come up with as far as tuition increases and changes in the school.

First day of school: The tuition will be increased starting the first day of the 08-09 school year. The tuition increase will not effect the summer program.

2nd Wednesday of each month: Meeting with the school board. Parents are encuraged to attend meetings. Not only for issues such as this, but for all education decision are made during these meetings.

WHO?
Children that were enrolled for next year still are. There are no changes there.

The teachers should all be there, but there is no guarentee. The district was addement that they did not want to loose any teachers or directors, but they do have to cut spending. The parents again were very addement that they would rather pay higher tuition than loose teachers. Tranter explained, they need to keep tuition within reason or no one will be able to afford it.

There is also the problem with it being ran through special education. There may be certifications/education that may play a part in it. There was nothing particular that was said on this issue, but it was implied.

WHAT?
What can we do as parents. It's all about money at this point. In order to keep the preschool running as it is today, we need money. Even if the school board can make the numbers work to keep the tuition reasonable and not loose any staff, things will be cut. ie, field trips, class rooms supplies, computers. That's where we as parents will need to step up.

Fund raising will need to be a big part of continuing this program and it's going to take more parental involvement that than ever before. It will be more than signing up to go on a field trip once or twice a year.

PTA was brought up. We are looking into that currently. If anyone is interested please email me at savemypreschool@gmail.com.

Bottom line: The preschool will remain open. There is no reason to believe that this will not be a permenant arangement.