The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education held a discussion regarding the potential and feasibility of starting a three-year-old preschool program. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau says there has been parents interested and asking administration if that would be something CCSD would consider. Berlau says Fairview Principal Ryan Simmelink and himself started researching into the requirements to get a program going.
Berlau did gather data from the Raccoon River Conference to see which schools offering a three-year-old preschool to compare tuition and other factors.
No preliminary numbers for what CCSD would charge was discussed. Berlau says there could be potential to get one started.
The teacher would be paid as a certified teacher but would not be classified as full time. There are benefits Berlau says to establishing a program but also some possible challenges too.
Board members questioned if any other daycare agencies would see a negative impact, which is not foreseen as the students would attend half days and some daycares already have a three-year preschool implemented for students that attend their center. Berlau did mention the option to partner with another organization that could help offset costs. No decision has been made, but the school board gave the okay to move forward with a parent survey to gain more opinions and ideas.
