In a further attempt to cut their budget and control costs, Crosby ISD announced last week that the hours for Pre-K classes would be reduced in January to one-half day.
Crosby ISD is currently facing a deficit in their budget of several million dollars, and have cut staff and put off other expenditures to try to make up the difference.
Currently the district offers a full day of Pre-K as an option. The new plan is to offer two half-day options. The morning session will run from 8:20 to 11:20 AM, and the afternoon session from 12:15 to 3:45 PM. The change will affect about 230 students in the Pre-K program.
According to CISD administrator Viviana Killion, the state of Texas reimburses the district $660,000 for the program, or $2800 per student. However, the cost of 12 teachers alone is $780,000, causing a deficit of $120,000 if the current arrangement were to continue. Given the financial condition of the district, it was deemed impossible to continue the full-day program.
The announcement of the change came on the district’s Facebook page, which many parents thought was not an appropriate manner. Parents also were unhappy with having to make arrangements to care for their children the other half-day when they are not in class at Pre-K.
State Representative Dan Huberty, who represents the Huffman and Kingwood areas near Crosby, said the state was planning on taking up the school funding problem in the next Legislature starting in January. Huberty is also Chairman of the Public Education Committee of the Legislature.
Parents are trying to make alternative arrangements for their children, either a day care center, or a baby sitter either private or family. A few parents say a half-day is okay and is less stress on the kids.