INotes from Montpelier
by Rep. Bill Frank

     I am very pleased to be able honor community members by introducing and sponsoring House Resolutions and when a Browns Rivers Middle School seventh grader receives a national award it is very exciting. Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals cosponsor the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards to promote volunteer community service among secondary school students. Audrey Pekarik of Underhill was honored with this award for making and selling bracelets to finance the construction of a house in Haiti. She was inspired after hearing a guest speaker at her church discussing the living conditions in poor nations. After receiving instructional help at a local craft store, and with family assistance in stringing the bracelets’ beads, Audrey created many beautiful bracelets, selling them at craft fairs and raising over $3,000. Audrey also sent bracelets to an orphanage in Nicaragua for girls who were celebrating their first communion.

     Audrey was my guest at the State House the day the resolution was read and voted on. Her parents, sisters, friends and principal accompanied her. I introduced her to the entire House and whereupon she received an ovation. I also took her to the governor’s office to meet Governor Douglas. She gave him a bracelet for Mrs. Douglas.

     They were not able to spend the day at the State House because the State Board of Education recognized her at their annual ceremony recognizing student academic achievement and leadership. You can read the resolution and see a picture of Audrey at my web site, Audrey Pekarik resolution.

      The pre-kindergarten bill, H.534 passed the house last week, but not without lengthy discussion about whether or not state moneys should fund Pre-K education for 3-4 year olds. Currently many school districts have programs with local private providers where 3-4 year olds are counted in the district’s average daily membership (ADM). ADM is used to determine how much state aid a district receives. This is not a new program; it has been in existence since 1987. In Chittenden East, Jericho Elementary, Underhill Central and Underhill ID schools currently do not have these programs; Bolton’s Smilie Memorial, Richmond Elementary and Huntington’s Brewster Pierce Memorial schools have programs. H.534 establishes minimum quality standards that districts must meet in order to receive state education funds and caps the number of students that can receive state education funding to 50% of the current 1st grade enrollment. If a district wishes to include more students than this cap, they can but will not receive additional funds from the state education fund for them.

     The funding strengthens the system of care and education for our youngest Vermonters, enabling them to enter kindergarten ready to learn. An important finding is that the provision of early care and pre-kindergarten education through high quality private providers is one of the most critical elements supporting the strength and stability of the system serving young children. The bill states that if a school district wishes to start or expand a pre-kindergarten program, it must get community input and use existing qualified providers.

     The current Pre-K program is estimated to cost an additional $22 million over the next 5 to 8 years if all eligible preschool aged children were enrolled and counted in the ADM. By capping the number of eligible preschool aged children that can be counted in the ADM the estimated spending is $14.5 million. The cap is a compromise; it recognized the value of Pre-K programs to our communities, parents and children with the need to control education spending.

     If you would like to discuss these or any other issues feel free to contact me at Rep.BillFrank@verizon.net, 899-3136 or 19 Pokerhill Rd, Underhill 05489.