NEWMAN - The future of a popular pre-school program housed at Von Renner Elementary School is in jeopardy because of uncertain funding.

School district officials hope to know as early as next week if the grant which has allowed the district to offer the free pre-school will be available again next school year.

That grant has funded the pre-school program and an alternative kindergarten “bridge” class for the past four years, Superintendent Rick Fauss said, but at best it appears that only enough money will be available to continue the pre-school.

Both programs are at capacity this year. Advance pre-school registration for next year has already exceeded capacity, Fauss said, and a waiting list has been established.

But the future of the pre-school remains unknown and may hinge on the continued availability of some Prop. 10 grant money, which is administered through the countywide First Five Commission.

“We did not think that we would have any funding for next year, but were told unofficially last week that we may get some funding,” Fauss explained. “We have made a proposal to the First Five Commission, and expect to know next week (if the district is funded).”

Fauss did not rule out the possibility of the district funding the pre-school program if no grant money is available, but cautioned that doing so would mean taking money from another program or service.

The district is already facing another round of budget cuts for the coming year.

“To continue the pre-school, the district would have to rely on resources right now that are funding K-12 programs. That would not be an easy sell; we would have to take that money from somewhere else,” he stressed. “It is not impossible, but it would be very challenging right now. It would be very difficult in this economic climate.”

Though funded by an outside grant, the program uses district facilities and is staffed by district employees.

If grant funding for pre-school does not materialize, Fauss said, he would take the popularity of the program and its overall benefits into account when developing a recommendation for the school board to consider.

“As a school system, we see tremendous advantages to educating students as early as possible, and giving children that little extra attention and assistance to help them get ready for school,” said Fauss, adding that early childhood education is particularly valuable to English learners. “Any time you are offering children an opportunity to get a jump start on skills for school readiness, it is going to be a very popular program.”

While there is a possibility that the pre-school program may continue, Fauss said, it is unlikely that the alternative kindergarten “bridge” class, which offers kindergarten-age students more individualized instruction in a small class setting, will continue next year.