FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
A BILL to amend and reenact ยง18-5-44 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to county boards of education; and accepting additional students for enrollment in early childhood education programs subject to space available by certain counties. Amendment would allow, after full implementation of the early childhood education program in the county, a county board of education at its sole discretion to accept additional students for enrollment in its early childhood education program subject to space availability. Nothing in this section or in any previous plan approved under this section prohibits the county board of education from accepting additional students.
Due to the comprehensive make-up of early childhood education, enrollment by a county board without the input and support from collaborative partners would result in additional costs that collaborative partners currently provide to the comprehensive services of early childhood education, such as the need for extended or before/after care, family resources and support. Currently, WV has 1039 approved Universal PreK Classrooms. Of those, 72% are in collaboration with community partners, whether it be Head Start, child care or private preschools. The cost of each additional classroom requires a minimum of two adults, one being the lead teacher. Currently, WV early childhood education classroom teachers and assistant teachers are supported through these collaborative models - 35% of lead teachers are employed by collaborative partners, while 45% of assistant teachers are employed by collaborative partners. This collaborative model has allowed county board of educations the ability to maximize resources and be alleviated of the full burden of hiring two adults in each classroom. Besides staffing and space, the collaborative design of WV Universal PreK has created a comprehensive design for services - before/after care, family support services, and health support to name a few.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2012
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2013
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
55,000,000 |
55,000,000 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Long term affects are difficult to summarize, as full access should be guaranteed by 2012-13. Additional children identified may require or be eligible for services provided by collaborative partners. Failure to include these services as part of the Universal design, could result in additional space and staffing if current collaborations are absolved due to additional spaces being generated without collaborative input or support. The amount indicated would be dollars lost in collaborative partners' investments, including space, staffing and additional resources.
In 2010-11, $133,808,848 was reported as investment into WV Universal PreK, of which $78,843,0555 was state aid funding generated via enrollment. The remaining dollars were investments through maximization of resources via collaboration. It has been through this collaborative model that universal access has been able to be possible in much of the state. The additional estimated 50 million dollars provides staffing, space and additional resources as part of the Universal PreK system. Loss of these collaborations could result in a worse-case scenario 50 million dollars that are not recouped in state aid funding. In many of the rural counties, even opening one or two additional classrooms that could potentially impact collaborative services and eligibility could impact the overall sustainabilty of collaborative partnerships.
By enrolling additional children without support and/or input from the collaborative county early childhood team, this model may be jeopardized. Any additional children identified after 2012-13 should be minimal if the county has fully implemented the Universal PreK design by 2012-13. The potential additional children should be considered enrolling into the Universal PreK program, resulting in identifying any services for eligible children to be served by all programs participating. Attached is a summary of the current WV Universal PreK program in WV.
*Currently, county board of educations do have the ability to open additional classrooms as needed after 2012-13 under the current code and policy. The additional classrooms are considered an addendum to their universal prek plan - not requiring a full county plan for approval.
Memorandum
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Brenda Freed
Email Address: bfreed@access.k12.wv.us