Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Grants Available

The State Budget included 3 million dollars for 4K Community Start Up Grants. These grants are in the second year of the State budget, starting July 1, 2008. The statutes require us to give preference to school boards that use a community approach to early education.

For more information see the following.

• Statute:
  SECTION 2709. 115.445 of the statutes is created to read: 115.445 Four−year−old kindergarten grants.
  (1) A school board may apply to the department for a 2−year grant under this section to implement a 4−year−old kindergarten program.
  (2) (a) In the first school year of a grant awarded under this section, the department shall pay the school board up to $3,000 for each 4−year−old kindergarten pupil enrolled in the school district. In the succeeding school year, the department shall pay the school board up to $1,500 for each 4−year−old kindergarten pupil enrolled in the school district.
  (b) The department shall award grants under this section beginning in the 2008−09 school year and shall give preference in awarding grants to school boards that use community approaches to early education, as defined by the department by rule. If the funds in the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (dp) are insufficient to pay all eligible school boards, the department shall prorate the payments.
  (3) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

• Emergency rule: The emergency rules are now in effect.
• First Year Applications
  There were 38 applications for four-year-old kindergarten start up grants. Of these, 1 district applied only for 4K without community approach. There were 32 districts that qualified under the 4K community approach priority. Of the qualified applicants, 62% of the classrooms are located in community sites and districts projected more than 45% of the 4k children will be served in community sites.
• List of districts qualified for grants under the 4k community approach
  Follow this link for a list of school districts qualified for the 4k start up grants.
• 2008-09 Application, Notice and Funding Timetable
• Projected Funding
  
  • The statues designate funding of up to $3,000 for each 4−year−old kindergarten pupil enrolled in the school district in the first year. In the second year. Funds are up to $1,500 for each 4−year−old kindergarten pupil enrolled in the school district. If the funds are insufficient to pay all eligible school boards, the department shall prorate the payments.
  • Preference will be given to school boards that use community approaches to early education, as defined by the department by rule. Based on the number of applicants under the community approach priority, funding for 2008-2009 is only provided to districts that have contracts and/or agreements with child care and/or Head Start related to the implementation of 4K in community approach partnerships.
  • Final funding under the community approach category will not be known until June 2009 after the 2008-2009 school year child count. To help districts finalize their four-year-old kindergarten implementation with their community partners, we are cautiously estimating funding of $705 per child. This amount is based on the projected enrollments submitted by districts in July 2008. Please be aware that the final funding amount will change based on variations in each district’s audited 4-year-old kindergarten enrollment or if districts decide to withdraw from the grant. The projected estimated will be revised again in November 2008 after the first child count.
  • Projected Annual Continuation Funding Cycle – To assist districts that want to apply for these grants after the 2008-2009 school year, this chart shows projected funding for future years. It is important to note that this chart does not take into account the potential impact of proration of funds or the expected increase in the number of children funded in the second year of implementation.
• Second Year District Application
  Second Year Applications will occur during the 2008-2009 school year. Districts will be required to demonstrate that they continue to provide the 4-year-old kindergarten program. If funded under the community approach priority, they will need to demonstrate that they are utilizing community approaches (have a council and contracts with child care and/or Head Start providers).

4K Grant Abstract

Return to the 4-Year-Old Kindergarten in Wisconsin page.

For questions about this information, contact Jill A. Haglund (608) 267-9625

Last updated on 7/15/2008 9:02:06 AM