Hays CISD To Expand Pre-K Program, Host Registration Event

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, June 18, Hays Consolidated Independent School District announced intentions to expand its Pre-K programs from ½ day to full-day programs.

The recent school finance legislation which was signed by the governor will provide Hays CISD with additional funding to expand the district’s seven Pre-K program.

House Bill 3 will provide funding for districts to offer full-day Pre-K Programs for eligible four-year-olds.

Tim Savoy, Chief Communications Officer for Hays CISD, said the district currently offers half-day programs at seven of its elementary schools; house bill 3 will allow the district to expand those half-day programs into full-day programs and offer the programs at a total of 11 schools.

“It’s a great thing,” Savoy said, “Because the earlier students get into school and are able to work on particularly reading at the youngest age; the better they will do the entire they are in school. Early childhood education you primarily focus on learning to read and comprehend and understand information.”

Savoy said students begin to learn by reading in the 3^rd grade, and students who are behind in their reading level can struggle with school as they move forward.

“We’re thrilled that the legislature included all day Pre-K in the funding package for schools,” Savoy said. “We’re not waiting to try and phase it in or anything. We’re moving full steam ahead to implement that this school year coming up.”

On Monday, the Hays CISD board of trustees will vote on the district’s final budget, which includes the new expanded Pre-K programs.

Savoy said if the budget is approved, which the district believes it will be, the district is good to go.

The full-day programs are expected to begin in August for the 2019-2020 school year and will be marked with a Pre-K registration event on June 28 from 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

Hays CISD parents are invited to attend the event and register their eligible four-year-olds for Pre-K at Simon Middle School.

Savoy said the district has room for new students to join the Pre-K program and wants to spread the news about the expanded program.

Pre-K programs are determined by campus attendance zones. Uhland Elementary, Tom Green Elementary and Fuentes Elementary School will not have Pre-K programs on campus; students for those campuses will attend Pre-K at another campus.

For more information on eligibility requirements for Pre-K and find out which campus your student will attend Pre-K at, go here.