FISD began hiring for the program in December, said Melissa Ellis, FISD’s assistant director of early childhood instruction.
FISD’s Early Childhood School, where pre-K is currently offered, is expected to exceed capacity. As a result, FISD plans to use space at Boals, Hosp, McSpedden, Pink, Purefoy, Shawnee Trail and Sonntag elementary schools for the program. Carroll Elementary School will also participate, but for bilingual pre-K only.
Full-day pre-K comes from House Bill 3, which requires school districts to offer full-day pre-K to 4-year-old students who meet certain requirements, such as those who cannot comprehend English or who qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program.
HB 3 is effective this school year, but school districts can seek waivers to prepare for expansion. FISD applied for a waiver for full-day pre-K in the 2019-20 school year.
Before the waiver, FISD invited proposals for public or private partnerships for pre-K classes in November.
Ellis said FISD received none as of the December deadline.
