Will preschools make the cut? Families await fate of early education

A decision of whether or not to fund pre-school programs by the state is putting many programs on hold in Southwest Michigan.

"Nine local districts -- Burr Oak, Comstock, Decatur, Lawrence, Marcellus, Portage, Paw Paw, Vicksburg, and White Pigeon -- say their preschool programs are on hold until they get some kind of funding commitment. Several other districts, including the two that run the largest state-funded preschools in the region -- Kalamazoo Public Schools and Allegan Area Educational Service Agency -- say they'll start preschool on schedule but may end the program midyear if funding doesn't come through."

For programs still planning to start, the prospect of "free" education is becoming less and less likely.

"The uncertainty affects only state-funded preschool programs. In addition to the state-funded program some districts, including Portage, have preschool programs for which they charge tuition.

Delton-Kellogg is planning to charge tuition for its preschool for the first time. Bloomingdale may run preschool two full days a week instead of four half-days, to save on transportation costs. Three Rivers will offer bus service to preschoolers at the beginning and end of the school day, but there won't be a noon bus run -- children in the morning session will have to be picked up by parents, and children in the afternoon session will have to be dropped off."

Do you have a child in preschool that will be affected by the cuts? Contact Kevin Lignell at Klignell@haltpoverty.org.