At-risk preschool initiative proceeds despite funding cut
By Donna C. Gregory NEWS EDITOR

Doland

Despite a lack of financial support by the Board of Supervisors, the Chesterfield School Board is moving ahead with a new preschool initiative for at-risk children.

Last month, supervisors reduced the school system's budget by $750,000 when a majority of members opposed the program.

"We're moving forward as we promoted it," said Tim Bullis, the school system's assistant director of community relations. "We've just moved funding around."

School Board members voted unanimously last week to eliminate 18 new teacher and 12 new bus driver positions along with changing debt service to help find funding for the program.

The program will initially serve around 112 at-risk children at seven elementary schools that were selected based on student poverty levels. Participating elementary schools include Bensley, Beulah, Davis, Falling Creek, Providence, Reams and Harrowgate. It will be partially funded with a state grant.

Prior to the vote, county critic Brenda Stewart spoke out against the preschool initiative, questioning its purpose, cost and sustainability.

Pettitt

"This program is being referred to by most people [I talk to] as 'the daycare program,'" said Stewart.

She maintains the school system is already facing challenges in educating minority students and questioned why School Board members wanted to bring in more. "Let's fix what we've got inside before going on to enlarge it," said Stewart.

Following her remarks, Dale District member David Wyman said, "I look at it as an investment. There are numerous reports that talk about the advantages for at-risk kids going through a pre-K program."

Bermuda District member Marshall Trammell Jr. agreed. "How can I look my constituents in the face and not say it's smart to spend $1 today and save $7 in the future?" he questioned.

Some research shows that early intervention - particularly in the first years of school - can improve future student performance and behavior among at-risk children.

Trammell also publicly chastised the Board of Supervisors for cutting funding for the program.

"To cut $750,000 in our budget…was totally improper, and it was totally disingenuous," said Trammell.

"A large portion of the kids in this program are in [Chairman Kelly] Miller's district," added Trammell during a later interview. "I'm just trying to point out how ironic it is that Mr. Miller who is supposed to be representing all of the people in his district, is taking a position that is in direct contrast to educational research and even his own school board member."

When the supervisors denied funding for the program last month, Matoaca Supervisor Renny Humphrey indicated that she might be swayed to change her "no" vote if the program was expanded to include schools in her district. A change in her vote would swing the majority of the board in favor of funding the program. Referring to Humphrey's comment, Trammell said, "I don't think we're going to go there."

"I think from our perspective that's a very slippery slope and a bad precedence to set," added Trammell during a later interview.

After the meeting, School Board Chairman Tom Doland said, "I'm not sure that the Board of Supervisors has a good understanding of how many programs we have and where they're located. When they say, 'I want something in my area,' we're already providing Head Start services in those areas. They have not really inquired of the School Board to give them that information either."

Doland said School Board members could discuss the possibility of adding schools in the Matoaca District at their next meeting on May 22.

Trammell also questioned a prior comment by Miller, who wondered if a program "for three year olds would be next."

"He may not know it but we're already serving two year olds," responded Trammell.

All School Board members reiterated that the preschool initiative is an early intervention program meant to help at-risk children succeed in kindergarten.

"Our concern is they are going to take up a lot of time with kindergarten teachers, and they're going to end up repeating kindergarten, and that really costs us more money," said Doland.

Clover Hill District member Dianne Pettitt, who initially opposed the program, said she's "come full circle" after recently visiting a kindergarten class that included several at-risk students.

"All the attention is being averted to these four [students]," Pettitt observed. "What happens to the other 24 kids?"

Pettitt said the program does go against her philosophy of "personal responsibility," but conceded that many parents aren't teaching their children how to behave properly or pay attention - skills needed to succeed in kindergarten.

She asked school administrators to make sure the program requires parental involvement and that data be kept to track students' success. "We need to be able to justify it and let the community know the results," said Pettitt.

Superintendent Marcus Newsome said he was "perplexed" by the supervisor's lack of support for the program. "This isn't anything new…what we're doing. It wasn't until it was brought up at the county level…that it became an issue of importance," said Newsome. "It is our job to help children no matter others' political concerns. This is not daycare. This is a comprehensive program designed to help children. This is really prevention."

Security cameras

The School Board voted unanimously to install security cameras at Matoaca, Matoaca East, Carver, Perrymont and Chester middle schools at a cost of $364,793.

Matoaca Elementary parking

Members also voted unanimously to pursue the purchase of 2.8 acres of land across from Matoaca Elementary School for up to $125,000. The acreage will be used to provide about 125 new parking spaces for the school.