BIXBY, Okla. — As Bixby Schools continues to grow, the program for its youngest students is getting a boost as well.
The district's pre-kindergarten program is getting more classes, teachers, and longer hours.
Bixby Public Schools announced the program will be expanding to include 320 students across the district. Each school will hold four classes with 20 students each, and half the classes will be full-day programs. "Three or four" new teachers will be hired as part of the expansion.
The change is designed to help parents like Jordan Butler, who cannot drop her daughter off at half-day programs, but also can't afford full-day programs.
"When I found out there might be a chance of all-day pre-K, I was crying real happy tears," Butler said. "My husband and I both work full-time, so for us to be able to come and drop one of our children off in the morning and then come back two hours later is just not doable for us."
The change is finally coming for Bixby after years of requests, and several neighboring school districts making the change before them.
Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller says the district's priority has been adding classrooms to fit growing enrollment, but now the district has the space to expand the pre-K program.
Miller estimates the 320 students will be about 60% of the pre-K demand in the district. The funding will come from the state, as each new full-time pre-K student will bring in $4,200 of state funding to the schools.
If parents want more information about all of the pre-K programs, Bixby Schools will hold an information session on March 5 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Enrollment for the programs is set for March 30.
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