DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on Pre-K 4 SA Program
SUMMARY:
Pre-K 4 SA will present a briefing on successes of the Program and key considerations for 2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In November 2012, the San Antonio voters approved 1/8th of a cent sales tax to fund the Pre-K 4 SA Initiative for an initial eight-year period. The program increases the quality of early learning in San Antonio using a four-pronged approach: education centers, professional learning, family engagement, and competitive grants. Each year, 2,000 children are served directly at the four education centers and additionally supports more than 55,000 children through professional learning and competitive grants.
Pre-K 4 SA is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors appointed by City Council. Board Members serve two-year staggered terms. The program is self-supported with a 1/8 cent sales tax approved by voters in 2012. The program does not receive any revenue from the City's General Fund. The program's business model is to partner with independent school districts to leverage state funding for pre-k. Under terms of the MOU between Pre-K 4 SA and partner school districts, eligible children who are enrolled at a Pre-K 4 SA Education Center are dually enrolled in their school district. In exchange for providing full-day prekindergarten services, Pre-K 4 SA receives the majority of the half-day state funding from the districts. Current partner schools include East Central ISD, Edgewood ISD, Harlandale ISD, Northside ISD, North East ISD, San Antonio ISD, Southside ISD, Southwest ISD, and New Frontiers Public Schools.
HB3, which passed in the 2019 legislative session, provides additional funding to incentivize school districts to offer full-day pre-k to eligible children. HB3 does not expand the number of children eligible for public pre-k and does not require districts to meet quality sta...
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