Gov. Deal Decides to Keep Pre-K Full-Time
Decatur Metro | March 7, 2011The AJC reports this morning that Gov. Nathan Deal is backing off his plan to change Georgia’s Pre-K program from full-time to part time. How will Deal keep Pre-K full-time and still cut millions from the program?
…Deal said he’ll meet the objective of slashing millions of dollars in program spending by cutting the pre-k year from 180 days to 160 days. He’ll still expand pre-k enrollment, but by 2,000, not 5,000 students as first proposed two weeks ago.
…Brian Robinson, spokesman for the governor, said teachers will see a pay cut because of the shortened school year, but the salary drop will be 10 percent, not the 30 percent that would have come with Deal’s original plan.
In addition, each pre-kindergarten class will add two extra students, saving about $22 million, Hames said.
I’ll contact CSD and ask how this will affect Pre-K for the coming year.
Thanks to Shelley for the heads-up!!
This sounds like good news, yes? We need a little good news. Does College Heights still offer a summer camp for the “graduated” preKers–that could solve the child care issues for those 20 fewer days that are covered by the State.
Yes, it does!
Glad to know about the summer camp for “graduates”! I was looking at all the camp info that was recently posted and wondering what all the 4-year-olds do during the summer. I’ve got a rising Pre-K-er and it’s hard to know where to start, especially with all the stuff swirling around right now. I feel like I’m jumping into the deep end without my floaties!
There’s a great summer camp at The Phoenix School for Pre-K-ers and rising Kindergardeners. See the school’s website for details or call the school.
So, when will CSD hold the lottery now? It was originally scheduled for March 1.
CSD will probably wait until there has been legislative action on the Gov’s new plan. They would really get the blood pumping if they held the lottery and then had to redo things because things changed at the Capitol.
As an aside, do you know if a lottery is needed? How many applications did they get?
I believe it was at least 184 children with a few days left in the Feb. registration.
I believe that decisions have been made as there was a meeting with the preK teachers today but admin at College Heights is still weighing a couple of options.
First Baptist also has a great aftercare and summer program. My child went there after “graduating” from PreK and still goes there. The college-age counselors are terrific. Thanks to all the folks like Ms. Gabriel from College Heights who contacted our politicians and helped make this happen. Wahoo!
Anyone hear anything new on this? Will there be a lottery after all? I contacted College Heights on Monday, but have yet to hear back from anyone.