SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Tuesday, March 4, Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud) presented SF 382, which would provide funds for the Preschool 4 Success program, a partnership between the St. Cloud Rotary Club and Independent School District 742. This bill would help continue to fund the program, which has provided more than 300 children with access to preschool education, helping close the achievement gap in the community.
“The need for quality early childhood education has never been more acute,” said Sen. Putnam. “Our local St. Cloud Rotary knows this fact and for a couple of years has been offering the Preschool 4 Success program, which has made life easier on parents and lead to significantly improved academic outcomes. This partnership between the St. Cloud Rotary Club and ISD 742 has already proven highly effective. With state support we can expand this program, make it more sustainable, help more kids, and inspire even more public–private partnerships in our community and throughout the state. By investing in Preschool 4 Success, we are investing in the future of our children and our state’s economy. We cannot afford to let this program fall short of its potential.”
Over the past four years, the Preschool 4 Success program has served 311 kids, 90 of whom are enrolled this year and otherwise would not have had the opportunity. The program partners with other local organizations such as CentraCare, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, and United Way ensuring a collaborative community effort.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a committee omnibus bill. You can view the entire bill presentation here.
Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee. He serves on the Jobs and Economic Development Committee and Taxes Committee.
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