New Kinder Prep Program Starting in August

Petaluma City Schools is launching a new kinder prep program that will be open to all children who will turn five by the end of this year. The pilot program will start in August at McKinley Elementary School and will consist of a half-day of preschool and half day of daycare. It is estimated to cost less than $200 a month.

“This will be an opportunity for parents whose kids may not be mature enough to attend kindergarten or who don’t want them graduating high school at 17,” said Steve Bolman, the superintendent of Petaluma City Schools.

With California’s budget woes, preschool funding for district has taken a hit in recent years. By launching this program, the city’s largest school district, hopes to generate more cash by increasing the number of enrolled students. Petaluma City Schools receives just $5,231 per year for each student, compared to an average of $6,535 across the state.

But the decision was not purely financial, said Bolman.

“We know that kids who go to preschool do better academically, so we wanted to offer this to them,” he said.

To sign up, contact the district office 778-4813 or go to your neighborhood school.

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