Waunakee officials map quick timetable, propose higher 4K pay as state rules shift

Waunakee Community School District officials on Monday outlined a compressed schedule for deciding how the district will provide 4K for the 2026–27 school year after a change in the state "Get Kids Ready" program that prohibits providers from participating in both the state program and a district contract in the same year.

District administrator Steve summarized the new state rule and its implications, telling the board: "Providers may not participate in Get Kids Ready if they also contract with the public school district to provide 4K in the same year." He said community‑based districts like Waunakee face greater risk under the change and urged a fast planning timeline so partners can make an informed choice.

Why it matters: The district’s 4K enrollment count feeds Fund 10 and state equalization aid, so shifts in where children enroll could reduce state aid and shift costs to local property taxpayers. Board member Joan framed the scale of a potential district response, saying, "It's about a $500,000 expense to increase that," when discussing higher per‑student reimbursement offers to partners.

What the district proposed: Administrators asked the budget committee to analyze options at a Dec. 1 meeting and suggested the full board consider placing a contract offer on the Dec. 8 agenda so partners can see the district’s position before they must inform the state. Staff outlined scenarios that include:
- Maintaining partnerships and increasing district reimbursement from roughly $3,600 to $5,000 per student (a scenario staff ran) and a higher $5,500 request that some partners submitted; and
- Alternative structures such as housing 4K in district buildings or hiring licensed teachers to place at partner sites.

Staff and board members emphasized the difference in possible staffing levels for kindergarten — for planning purposes officials said the district could staff for 12, 14 or up to 16 kindergarten sections, and that choice materially alters available open‑enrollment slots and district costs. Steve said the budget committee will present a grade‑by‑grade, school‑by‑school analysis on Dec. 1 to show how those choices affect staffing and revenues.

Partners and short‑term response: Several partner providers and a provider representative (Heather) told the board that a higher short‑term reimbursement rate is critical. Dr. Brown described the district’s short‑term strategy as a possible increase in payment to make continuing partnership a "win‑win," while also proposing a community 4K task force to study longer‑term models, including full‑day 4K and other program designs.

What did not happen: The board did not adopt any contract or policy at the meeting. Administrators said they will return with detailed financial scenarios, including transportation and special‑education costs the district bears, and with partner acceptance data so the board can weigh whether to make a contract offer on Dec. 8.

Next steps: The budget committee will meet Dec. 1 to review detailed budget scenarios and enrollment projections; administrators seek partner decisions by Dec. 19 and plan a follow‑up partner meeting Dec. 15. The full board is set to consider open‑enrollment approval and any contract action at the Jan. 12 and Dec. 8 meetings respectively, per the timeline staff presented.