Parents Want More Pre-K In Hamilton County

The BEP funding formula could impact the number of new Pre-K classes offered in Hamilton County.  Parents want more classrooms, but can the county afford them?

Rose Keefe's classroom at Spring Creek Elementary wasn't around last year.  It's one of just five Pre-K classes added in Hamilton County last August.  Keefe says "this was a big empty room because they didn't know they were going to have a pre-k here until the last minute. So we brought a lot of things in."

Materials the county must pay for.  Each classroom costs $107,000 to operate.  Since Tennessee bases its Pre-K funding on the BEP, the state basically covers the cost of the teacher in Hamilton County.

Tracie Record, a parent of a child in Pre-K, became sold on the idea early on.  "She comes home and wants to read and wants to know what this is and that is and tells me what she's learned at school."

Record's daughter is among 740 four-year old children enrolled in Pre-K in Hamilton County, and school leaders say there's enough demand to serve more.  Keefe says "we have a waiting list, we have kept children on the waiting list our entire time. We've managed to place three children since the year began, since some kids transferred out."

A Tennessee Department of Education survey shows school districts across the state want to add 337 new classrooms this fall.  Hamilton County may request 12 new classes... if enough local funding can be found, along with classroom space.

At risk four-year olds receive first priority for classes.  Meaning at this point, not every parent wanting to, can give their child a head start on their education.

Hamilton County won't learn how many classes the state plans to assist with until July.  Meanwhile, Sequatchie County intends to request state funding to operate its first Pre-K class.