Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Grants

Start-Up Grant Cycles, Timelines, and Projected Funding

The Wisconsin State Budget enacted in 2008 includes $3 million for 4-year-old kindergarten start-up grants starting July 1, 2008. Grants were awarded by formula, based on enrollment in 4K programs. The grant program gives preference to school boards that use community approaches to early education, as defined in administrative rule by the DPI. State Statutes designate first-year funding of up to $3,000 and second year funding of up to $1,500 for each pupil enrolled in the approved 4-year-old kindergarten program. If the funds are insufficient to pay full funding for all eligible pupils, the law requires the DPI to prorate the payments to school districts. Funding is based on audited child count data. Therefore, final funding is not known until June of each grant year. The DPI provides preliminary estimates of funding in July and November.

In the 2009 budget cycle, Joint Finance retained funding for Cycle 1 but eliminated funding for Cycle 2 start-up grants.

Grant Cycle 1: 2008-2010

Cycle 1, Year 1 Start-up Grants (2008-2009)

Thirty-one school districts received grants to start 4-year-old kindergarten using community approaches with child care and/or Head Start in 2008-09. Based on unaudited student counts submitted by districts in September 2008, these districts received $705.05 in per pupil start-up funding on June 15, 2009.

Cycle 1 districts and their year 1 funding.

Cycle 1, Year 2 Continuation Funding (2009-2010)

Districts receiving start-up grants are eligible for one year of continued funding if they continue to meet the criteria for start-up grants. The March assurance form serves as intent to continue to implement 4K community approaches in the 2009-2010 school year. Continuation grant funding will be provided in June 2010 based on the audited enrollments.

• On February 17, 2009, Governor Doyle announced in his state budget proposal an additional $1 million for each year of the grant cycle in order to reduce the proration for Cycle 1 continuation grants and move their funding level closer to the original $1,500. In the final budget, funding for Cycle 1 was retained at the original level. Districts will be notified on November 30, 2009. on their anticipated 2nd year funding.

Timeline for 2nd Year Continuation

Grant Cycle 2: 2009-2011

Cycle 2: Start-Up Grants

Grants have been approved for districts that are implementing 4-year-old kindergarten in the 2009-2010 school and have not claimed 4K in their 2008-2009 child count. In May of 2009, 17 districts applied for Cycle 2 funding. Twelve districts were notified that they were eligible for start-up funding under the community approach priority and 4 districts were notified that they were not eligible under the community approach priority but they could receive conditional approval in the event they were able to establish community partners.

List of successful Cycle 2 applicants and conditionally approved applicants.

Projected Start-Up Funding: During the 2009 state budget process, Joint Finance eliminated funding for Cycle 2 start-up grants. In later action on the state budget, the State Senate reinstated the 4K start up grants. The final budget retained 1.5 million in funding for Cycle 2. Cycle 2 districts will be notified on November 30, 2009 the estimates for funding. It is anticipated that no funds will be available for Cycle 2-Year 1, but that funds will be available for Cycle 2-Year 2.

Cycle 2: Year Start-Up Grant Timeline

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.

• Administrative rules: The administrative rules are now in effect.

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 10/20/2009 9:39:40 AM