Victory! Bright Beginnings Pre-K is Saved

by Megan Cottrell · 2011-06-20 06:45:00 UTC
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Some stories are a straightforward trajectory. A problem is identified. People gather around that problem and strive to change it. The change is made, and the people rejoice.

Others are a roller-coaster-like slog. And that's how it's been for Charlotte Mecklenburg's preschool program, Bright Beginnings. From the time that the school superintendent proposed cutting two-thirds of the slots for vulnerable preschool aged children to the district back in January, the ride has been bumpy. At certain points, the program seemed as good as saved, when the very next, it seemed doomed.

But victory has been declared! The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board announced that all Bright Beginnings classrooms will be saved. Local teachers, students and families are rejoicing.

"I'm very pleased that the program will continue to operate at its current levels," said Michelle O'Reilly, a Bright Beginnings teacher who started a petition on Change.org to save the program. "I am also hopeful that the pre-k - 8 model for schools will increase alignment between grades and thereby help reduce the achievement gap."

Liz Clasen-Kelly, organizer at the Council for Children's Rights, sent a message to supporters, letting them know much their support helped the campaign.

"Through your phone calls, presence at meetings, letters to the editors, petitions, emails, and one-on-one conversations, the school board moved Bright Beginnings to top priority tier, the county commission increased their funding to CMS, and the state reduced the magnitude of their cuts to education," wrote Clasen-Kelly. "Those changes made it possible to save Bright Beginnings.  You truly made a difference."

Unfortunately, a few jobs will be lost with the changes. To save Bright Beginnings classrooms, the Charlotte Mecklenberg school district decided to merge five pre-k centers into existing elementary schools, meaning that some administrators and support positions at those pre-k centers will lose their jobs. Michelle O'Reilly says she's sad about that, but glad local children will still have a place to become students ready for kindergarten.

"But, today is certainly a day to celebrate," wrote Liz Clasen-Kelly. "On behalf the 3,000 four-year-olds who will have access to Bright Beginnings next year – THANK YOU!"

Photo credit: BlueStarPhotoStudio

Megan Cottrell is a reporter and writer living in Chicago.

RELATED PETITION

Tell the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners: Please Fund Bright Beginnings
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