RCS hits new milestone

For the first time, all pre-k students are given seats.

RCS will reach a new milestone this September, for the first time in history providing an education for all pre-kindergarten students whose parents applied for the program.

Thanks to the addition of a fourth pre-kindergarten section, the district did not have to turn away applicants for the program this year.

“This is the first time that all pre-kindergarten students who applied will have a spot in our program. It’s tremendous,” said Jan Lincoln, RCS’ pre-k parent liaison.

The district is serving 68 students in four, half-day sections. RCS’ pre-kindergarten program provides a half-day of educational offerings that are designed to prepare children and their families for their elementary school experience.

Research studies and program evaluations have demonstrated numerous short- and long-term educational, social and economic outcomes. An Indiana University study determined that the return on investment for pre-kindergarten programs range from $4 to $12.90 in public savings for every $1 spent on the program.

RCS was able to implement the fourth section of pre-kindergarten classes at little cost to taxpayers by making a half-time teacher and aide to full time. As a result of the district’s contract, the employees were already receiving benefits so the cost incurred of making them full-time was limited to their salaries.

The addition of a fourth section of the program was the recommendation of the district’s first-ever Budget Advisory Committee, which noted to the  Board of  Education last winter that RCS “annually turned-away applicants for the program, while at the same time keeping the room empty for half of the day.”