You could see more access to 4K programs in the state of Wisconsin thanks to a new bill being circulated in Madison. Co-authored by Reps. Joy Goeben of Hobart and Karen Hurd of Fall Creek, school districts would be required to contract with eligible child care and Head Start programs to provide a public 4K option that is tuition-free. School districts receive funding from the state for each student enrolled in their 4K program, money that would go mainly to the childcare facilities they contract out.  United Way of Door County Child Care Coordinator Molly Gary says the plan would provide a guaranteed and much-needed revenue source for childcare facilities.

Sevastopol School District Superintendent Kyle Luedtke knows that childcare is a significant issue on the peninsula. Still, he believes the bill could remove vital funding from school districts.

The bill would also change the requirement for 4K teachers from being DPI-certified to requiring a teacher to have at least a bachelor’s degree or plans to earn in the immediate future.