The Clancy Elementary School Board voted Feb. 11 to proceed with the launch of a new Early Literacy Program (ELP) for pre-kindergarten students. The program is set to launch in the 2025-26 academic year.
The vote was not unanimous, reflecting some hesitancy about the cost, and associated risk, of the program. But most members were swayed by Superintendent Daryl Mikesell, who has been an advocate for the ELP. Clancy Elementary is one of the few schools in the county without such a program, prompting concerns that it could lose student enrollment to competing schools.
Mikesell has had some experience in developing Early Learning Programs for schools, having been instrumental in the implementation of a similar program while principal at Montana City School.
ELPs have the advantage of keeping kids in the same family together in a school. And while research results are mixed — some studies show that the effects of pre-K programs on academic performance wane over time — there’s evidence that ELPs help students better adapt to structured school schedules, and aid educators in identifying potential learning issues much earlier.
Mikesell’s presentation focused on how the ELP’s costs could be kept manageable by limiting enrollment to a maximum of 24 students, divided into two 12-student cohorts. The program probably would launch with just 12 participants, leaving room for more should the need arise. Mikesell had earlier told the board that a community survey revealed potential interest in an ELP from about 18 families in the district.
The school would be responsible for the program’s first-year costs, another reason to begin with a smaller initial cap on enrollment. Mikesell estimated that expenses for next year would be about $70,000, mostly involving staff salaries. The school plans to reallocate existing teachers to the program, rather than hiring new staff.
Under state funding rules, Mikesell explained, the school should receive about $116,000 for the 2026-2027 academic year to reflect the new student population for the ELP, suggesting a surplus of about $40,000. That surplus would persist for each subsequent year the school offers the program.
Clancy teacher Megan Morgan, who will have a major role in leading the program, told the board she had already begun applying for local grants to help offset the first year expenses.
Mikesell also presented a plan to handle scheduling and logistics for the new students. Under his proposal, ELP participants would arrive after the main student body in the mornings, and be dismissed before the elementary and middle school students in the afternoon. This would avoid congestion, he said, while still allowing ELP students an opportunity to mingle with siblings and other students.
ELP students would not be offered school bus transportation — requiring the school to modify its existing policy that guarantees all students bus service.
Board president Sarah Brown expressed excitement for the new program and complemented Mikesell for his research and preparation. Brown was joined by fellow board members Gina Davis and Marci Parks, who have been strong advocates for an ELP. Both said the program presented opportunities to attract and maintain students to the school.
However, board Vice Chair Trent Jensen expressed reservations, mostly related to the risks and costs of such a program. While professing not to be completely opposed to the idea, Jensen said he has “worries for the really bad day when something breaks” and monies are needed for repairs. He did not appear to be swayed by other board members’ arguments that the school is cushioned for such extremes by surplus metal mines tax funds.
The board’s vote on the motion to launch the ELP was 4-1, with Jensen dissenting. On a corresponding motion to modify the school policy on student transportation, the vote was 3-2 in favor, with board trustee Bob Gallagher joining Jensen in dissent. Mikesell’s proposed name for the new program: Cougar Cubs.
