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269 <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked about the implications of kids being lost after pre-schooL and Ms. <br />Arletta Dimberg, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, said that speaks to the mobility of <br />the student body for the school system in general, noting that 36% move annually. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said the preferred options have to be juxtaposed with the realities of <br />the cost. Dr. Symons said it is a very complex issue and what is driving this issue is how' <br />long the current program Can remain at Jefferson School. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dede Smith, School Board member, asked if the program would serve kids <br />who would otherwise be served elsewhere, and Dr. Pianta said that is hard to answer, but <br />he does not think they would be taking children away from any quality programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked to what extent the Committee feels there is a market for universal <br />pre-school. <br /> <br /> Ms. Saphira Baker, Committee member, said that results of a sUrvey show that the <br />real market is in infant care. Ms. Baker said that in order to attract other children the <br />program would have to be very high quality in order to compete with other programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said we need to overcome the perception that the program is targeted to <br />low-income families. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Ms. Baker said that the.program <br />could be expanded to certain existing schools, but that would not replace the existing <br />program. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked how short-term building needs will be addressed, and Dr. Symons <br />said that it needs to be discussed with building maintenance staff, but the existing <br />program can probably stay in Jefferson School for two to five years. Dr. Symons noted <br />that major repairs could be needed at any time at Jefferson. Dr. Symons said it would <br />take two to three years to construct a new facility. Dr. Symons said that while expansion <br />of the program has merit, he straggles with taking away from the school system's main <br />mission and limited resources. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that perhaps having an excellent location would be worth the extra <br />cost of renovating Jefferson School. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox recommended that Jefferson School be expanded to include other uses to <br />make it economically viable, and said that perhaps Council will want to take this notion <br />up. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said the idea of a partnership with Albemarle County is also <br />intriguing. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said the cost of operation of an expanded program also needs to be <br />taken into consideration, and suggested exploring a partnership with Albemarle County <br />and other agencies that would help fund an expanded program. <br /> <br /> Ms. Smith suggested exploring making an elementary school a magnet pre-school <br />and keeping those children there through at least first grade. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano suggested that the Schools focus on how to keep the existing high <br />quality program going and look at other expansion down the road. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if there are parts of Jefferson School that would work for the <br />program if it was renovated, and Dr. Symons said that State standards have to be met, <br />including the requirement that the program be on one level. <br /> <br /> Ms. Smith noted that Jefferson School would not have to be renovated as a pre- <br />school but could be used as an elementary or middle school. <br /> <br /> <br />