FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2002
The implementation of a universally available, voluntary 4-year-old kindergarten program will be delayed until at least the fall of 2003.
"Time has simply run out on us," said Superintendent Art Rainwater. "The fiscal uncertainties faced by both the school district and the City of Madison make it impossible for us to go ahead with this program at this time."
The half-day, 4-year-old program is expected to be a collaboration between the public and private sectors, resulting in a diverse array of program sites - both in elementary school buildings and private early childhood centers throughout the city. The program still needs approval from the Board of Education, and both state and private funding sources in place.
"Momentum has been building for this innovative program to happen," explained Mary Gulbrandsen, Chief of Staff for the District. "It is a shame not to have it available this fall, but the extra time will allow both our schools and the city Early Care and Education unit to iron out the details and raise the necessary funding." The school district and the city are working to secure private funding to offset costs for the first three years, after which the additional students will provide sufficient funding for the 4-year-old kindergarten under the revenue cap.
The 4-year-old Kindergarten is part of the collaborative Madison Early Learning Initiative (ELI), which is expected to:
If the proposed program moves ahead, the application process for centers that want to participate in the 4-year-old Kindergarten would likely occur in the late fall of 2002, and notification to parents and enrollment would begin in early 2003. The kindergarten part of ELI would run on a school calendar year.
In addition to the city and the school district, a number of other agencies have been instrumental in the collaborative planning around four-year-olds including: Community Coordinated Child Care (4C), the Dane County Parent Council (Head Start), UW-Madison, MATC and UW-Extension. Support and encouragement have also been given by the League of Women Voters, Kiwanis, United Way of Dane County, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families as well as a variety of union organizations.
"So many different people and organizations have stepped up to help in this effort and to create this public-private partnership around early learning that we can't say enough to thank them all," said Gulbrandsen.
For more information, call:
Jim Mc Coy, Madison Schools, 663-1913 or
Ken Syke, 663-1903
Public Information Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-663-1879
email: newsrelease@madison.k12.wi.us
Last Modified: 2002-04-03
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