Sonoma County considers boosting preschool for low-income families

Sonoma County supervisors are staking out a multi-million-dollar plan to expand preschool access for every 3- and 4-year-old in the county, a move touted as critical to improving health, increasing high school graduation rates and strengthening the region’s economy.

The Board of Supervisors, which made its case for universal preschool in 2014, is set to consider on Tuesday whether to move forward with a county health department proposal for preschool expansion.

About half of the county’s 3- and 4-year-olds are currently enrolled in preschool, according to county data. For Latinos, the rate is lower, at 39 percent.

County health officials are recommending free education for all of the nearly 11,000 preschool-aged kids in the county. But a proposal up for consideration on Tuesday would start with 2,013 low-income children whose families live below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, or $72,900 for a family of four.

For a family of three, the income threshold would be $60,480, and a single parent with one child would qualify if annual earnings are at or below $48,060.

Preschool programs for those children would cost an estimated $26 million and would be phased in over five to 10 years, according to the health department proposal.

That figure factors in a $15-per-hour wage for preschool teachers. The cost estimate covers a full day of preschool for the entire year.

Creating each of those preschool slots would require expanding school facilities and upgrading classrooms. Health officials say building that capacity could cost an additional $5.8 million, which could be covered by state and federal grants.

The preschool slots could be located at public or private schools, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, child care centers or charter schools.

In addition to the 2,013 low-income students identified as priorities, health officials say there are currently not enough seats for 2,164 others.

If the county moves forward with the program, expanding it to more children could be considered if local, state and federal funding becomes available.

The board is set to discuss the matter at its regular meeting Tuesday morning.

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ahartreports.