Pre-K Confusion Clarified

There was a large group of Spanish-speaking families gathered inside the Board of Education building waiting for the meeting to begin on Thursday.

Once at the microphone, a resident voiced her concerns over the end of the Pre-K program – with the aid of a translator – only to be very quickly reassured.

“We ask that you please preserve this important program,” Monica Molina said in Spanish.

The audience clapped when Board President Joseph Lillis interrupted her to quickly say that the Pre-K program, as they feared, would not be ending, only changing.

The speaker still concluded her statement, poignant in its explanation that it took her courage to come speak on this night. She said that just because these families may not understand the system and it's daily technicalities, does not mean they don’t care about their kids’ education.

The Board thanked these parents for their concern and for coming out, snowstorm and all, saying that it’s just this sort of communication confusion that makes programs like the Pre-K so essential, to get those first-generation kids an early start in their language skills.

One mother, Karina Arreola, still expressed concern over the quality of a contracted-out Pre-K, but again the Board again offered assurance.

Superintendent Dr. Howard Smith attested that new teachers in the program of nonunionized teachers from a private agency would abide by the same standards. It’s the same program, he said, in the same building, still free, still populated by the lottery system.

Board Vice President Mimi Godwin thanked the large group for coming out and said they were always welcome.

But she followed this with the sad news that one veteran Pre-K teacher who faced being moved to another grade in light of these changes, had announced her retirement resignation: Susan Montero, after 32 years of service.

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