SLO County school district won’t cut pre-K program after all. Why it’s off the chopping block
Following outcry from concerned district parents and staff, the San Luis Coastal Unified School District is exploring “creative solutions” to avoid proposed cuts to the district’s transitional kindergarten program as it wrangles with a multimillion-dollar budget deficit.
The news came in a statement from district superintendent Eric Prater.
The proposed cuts to transitional kindergarten were first discussed during a budget update at the district’s Jan. 14 school board meeting, which drew a significant crowd of protesters.
“I understand that the conversation at the last board meeting left many of you feeling upset, anxious, and uncertain about the future. Please know that your concerns have been heard, and I deeply apologize for the distress this situation has caused,” Prater wrote in a statement released Friday evening.
Prater added that the proposed cuts could have been announced “more thoughtfully.”
“I understand the emotional and practical impact that any changes, especially to the TK program, may have on our families, staff and community,” he wrote. “The TK program is a vital part of our early education system, and I share your commitment to ensuring its continued success.”
The district’s transitional kindergarten team, teacher’s association and the superintendent’s office will work together to explore solutions to the budget crisis that will allow the program to remain in tact for the 2025-26 academic year and beyond, Prater said.
The team will also continue to seek state funding for the program.
“We had promising discussions about finding cost-effective solutions that preserve the heart of the program and assist us in lessening the impacts on K-12 programming,” Prater wrote. “Additionally, our partners in the early childhood education community have offered resources and support to help us in this effort. We feel that we can contain costs and keep the program aligned to its current model.”
He added: “I am confident we will maintain this valuable educational opportunity for our children.”
San Luis Coastal currently does not receive funding for the program because it is a basic aid district, meaning it gets most of its funding from local tax dollars rather than the state.
The district will continue to evaluate its budgetary challenges over the next month.
“We recognize that these proposed reductions affect not only our students but also the hardworking professionals who provide critical support to our schools,” the superintendent said. “Our goal is to meet our budget reduction targets while minimizing negative impacts on teaching and learning. We will work diligently to ensure that we continue to prioritize the needs of our students, staff, and community throughout this process.”
The school board will hear the proposed budget cuts on Feb. 4 and take action on Feb. 18.
This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
