District requests reduction in New Mexico pre-K funded slots amid new childcare grant openings

Roswell Independent School District officials asked the board Aug. 12 to approve a reduction in New Mexico pre-K enrollment capacity from 360 funded slots to 340. The request followed the state's late reopening of New Mexico pre-K grant funding to private childcare providers in the community, which created new free pre-K slot offerings and reduced expected district enrollment. Early-childhood director said the state reopened the grant after the district's grant had closed because the state "got more money," and that roughly 200 slots opened at local child-care centers in Roswell. She said the district must maintain at least 95% enrollment of its funded slots to retain grant funding and that with the new private-sector slots the district expects lower district enrollment; the requested reduction reflected that enrollment expectation and to avoid the risk of returning grant dollars. Board members asked whether the district could expand to additional sites and whether budget or staffing would be affected. District staff said site size, prior agreements with child-care providers and ECECD rules (the Early Childhood Education and Care Department) limit where the district can place classrooms; they said the reduction would allow the district to avoid under-enrollment and possible funding clawbacks. Staff said ECECD has required district collaboration with neighboring child-care providers as part of a statewide move toward a more unified pre-K network and that the district expects to remain financially stable under the reduced slot total. The board approved the reduction by voice vote.