Education budget gives Madison $82,100 for pre-K expansion

Sharon Willis works as Federal Programs Coordinator for Madison City Schools. (CONTRIBUTED)
Sharon Willis works as Federal Programs Coordinator for Madison City Schools. (CONTRIBUTED)

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed the Education Trust Fund budget into law at almost nearly $6 billion, including a $10 million increase for Alabama’s First Class Pre-Kindergarten program.

The budget also increases funds for textbooks and classroom supplies.

“This has been a historic week for pre-K in Alabama,” Alabama School Readiness Alliance Executive Director Allison Muhlendorf said. The alliance promotes options for top-notch, voluntary pre-kindergarten.

“Gov. Bentley announced 202 new First Class Pre-K grants, funded with the increased state investments and Alabama’s federal Preschool Development Grant. This will allow 3,600 additional four-year-olds to attend the program, which has been recognized as no. 1 in the country for its quality for nine (consecutive) years,” Muhlendorf said.

“Madison City Schools will receive $82,100 for a sixth First Class Pre-K class in the Madison City First Class Pre-Kindergarten Center. This (amount) is in addition to the current five First Class Pre-K classes, which brings our total Office of School Readiness First Class Pre-K grants to $487,100,” Sharon Willis said.

Willis works as Federal Programs Coordinator for Madison City Schools.

Huntsville City Schools’ share of pre-K money is $610,500.

Madison County Schools will receive $1,169,400 for pre-K, allowing about 200 more four-year-olds to enroll in pre-K training.

“This is great news for Madison County Schools,” Superintendent Matt Massey said. “The research is clear that young children who participate in high quality pre-K programs enter school more ready to learn than others. The short-term and long-term affects point to higher grades, higher test scores and more opportunities for students.”

Massey credits Karen Jensen, the county’s Title I coordinator, with securing the grants. “Karen and her team worked very hard to make sure we made a great case to create opportunities for more students in Madison County Schools,” Massey said.

Jensen said the grants will impact these campuses: Hazel Green, Lynn Fanning, Madison County, Madison Cross Roads, Mount Carmel, New Hope, New Market, Owens Cross Roads and Walnut Grove elementary schools.

Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs administers the pre-K grants.

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x