Climbing Together - 12/3

The School District of Onalaska is reviewing the potential expansion of options for our pre-kindergarten (4K) program which would involve providing a full-day, every day model to our three elementary schools. Below is a summary to help you stay informed.

How we got here

Currently, the district offers half-day 4K programming Monday through Thursday. In September, an internal task force began studying the benefits and challenges of moving to an all-day, every-day 4K model. The group examined factors such as student learning, family needs, staffing, facilities, and the financial impact to the district.

After completing its work, the task force presented its findings to the Board of Education Finance Committee. Board members also reviewed this information during a board development session in November.

What’s Next

Full-day 4K will appear as an information item on the agenda at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 8. Depending on that discussion, the board may consider a formal vote on the change as soon as their first regularly scheduled meeting in January. If that vote were to pass, full-day programming would begin in the 2026–27 school year. Regardless of that vote, half-day programming would remain as an option at district community partner sites.

The Research

There are several reasons why our district is considering this shift, including research showing that full-day programs are more beneficial for student growth and development.

Research from the University of Minnesota as well as a recent student in the Chicago area found that children in full-day preschool make stronger gains in early language, math, and social-emotional skills. By third grade, these students are often further ahead in their educational development than peers who attended half-day programs.

National experts, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children, note that program quality in 4K programs is what matters most. Elements such as play-based learning, highly trained teachers, and offering intentional hands-on activities make a meaningful difference. We are fortunate to already have these in place here in Onalaska, and expanding to full-day programming would give students even more time to learn and grow in a high-quality environment.

The Investment

While several nearby school districts have successfully moved to full-day 4K programming, this change represents a significant undertaking for Onalaska. Currently, each of our three elementary schools have two 4K classes: One in the morning and one in the afternoon, totaling six classes taught by three teachers. To keep up with the one-teacher-per-class requirement, transitioning to a full-day model would likely lead to an increase in staffing - especially if enrollment numbers remained the same.

The state of Wisconsin funds 4K student enrollment differently than K-12 students. In short, each 4K student is funded at 60% of K-12 students. Moving a student from half-day to full-day enrollment does not change the amount granted by the state.

Our district’s mission is Working together to ensure high levels of learning for all. “All” is the key word. While we would need to carefully plan and work out the budgetary challenges as noted above, we consider this to be an important investment in our students, families, and community. We believe a full-day 4K model would enhance the support we provide our youngest Hilltoppers, give families more choice that may better fit their lifestyles, and, ultimately, continue to make Onalaska the best place in the Coulee Region to live, work, and receive an education.

Your Voice

As mentioned above, the all-day 4K option is an information item on the agenda for the December 8 Board of Education meeting. A reminder that all board meetings are open to the public and are also streamed live on our YouTube channel. We invite anyone interested in this topic to attend or watch the meeting to learn more about this potential shift. If you would like to share your thoughts, we have also created an online survey to gather community input. Your feedback is very important to us. Please take a moment to get involved if you are able.

Thank you for your continued interest in our schools and for your partnership in your child’s education.