A state startup grant for an early childhood program came in lower than expected but the program will go on nonetheless, the Mokena Elementary School District 159 Board of Education learned Wednesday night.
Assistant Supt. Pat Chesla said the district originally had applied for a $116,858 grant, but only received $50,000. Chesla said apparently there were more requests for grant funds than expected.
She said another state grant will enable the district to operate with a balanced budget.
The school district in June applied for the startup grant to fund staff costs for the Early Start program.
Early Start is geared for preschool children who may need help adjusting to a classroom environment. At-risk preschoolers previously were enrolled in Project B.E.G.I.N., a cooperative program serving area elementary school districts.
With the completion of a major building project that added several classrooms to Mokena Elementary School, the district now has enough space to house its own preschool program, according to Supt. Roger Reardon.
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By operating its own program, the school district can tailor the curriculum for preschoolers to its own needs, Reardon said.