Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling said the district’s move to universal pre-K will not only strengthen early learning but serve as a major long-term benefit for families, the school system and the parish.
In an interview, Oertling said the expansion – set to begin next school year – marks a significant investment and transition. By placing all four-year-olds in neighborhood elementary schools and increasing access for three-year-olds, the district expects to see stronger literacy, improved kindergarten readiness and long-term gains that follow students through high school graduation.
“At ages 3 to 5, there’s such a growth in brain capacity and cognitive ability,” Oertling said. “The earlier we can get students into our school system, the more likely we are to see better outcomes for students and families.”
In August, the school board unanimously approved universal pre-K for the 2026-2027 school year. The district will open 19 new pre-K classes for four-year-olds across school sites and expects to hire 40 to 60 new employees, including teachers, paraeducators and bus operators. Some current Head Start staff are expected to transition to positions at elementary schools.
The expanded program will cost about $1.6 to $2.1 million each year, which will cover the additional salaries. The ongoing cost will be funded by the school board and federal grants.
An additional 380 four-year-old students will have spots at neighborhood schools next year. The program currently serves 503 total students in its pre-K3 and pre-K4 programs.
The proposal for universal pre-K was spearheaded by Oertling and the school board. Feedback from families and school leaders also shaped the proposal to expand the program.
Oertling said the district has tracked its early learners for years, and the data is clear: students who attend Head Start or existing pre-K classes consistently outperform those who do not, particularly in early literacy.
“This is always brought up in our different strategic action planning processes,” Oertling said. “But we needed to be in a position financially to be able to offer it. We’ve made some very wise financial decisions, but we also recognize the value that we have being in St. Charles Parish.”
He expects the benefits of universal pre-K to show up quickly and continue as cohorts move through the system.
“This is such a critical period in a child’s life,” he said. “Providing strong foundations at 3-, 4- and 5-years old benefits not just our families, but our parish, region and state. The ability to educate a child and have better outcomes means that child is less likely to end up economically disadvantaged and can contribute in an even better way to our community.”
For Oertling, the expansion is about more than academics. He said universal access will relieve pressure on working families who struggle with childcare costs and help reduce barriers that local community and government partners have long identified.
“This eliminates a significant challenge in our parish,” he said. “We have a large population of families who can’t afford childcare or it’s a stress for them. Offering a four-year-old program for everyone is a great benefit.”
As the district prepares for next year’s registration, Oertling said families can expect a high-quality educational experience centered on academic, social and emotional development.
“Those families will get an excellent educational experience within our schools where they truly get the feeling of belonging and value, of being part of a school system and a neighborhood school that takes pride in providing high quality educational opportunities for our students,” he said. “The schools provide support not just for academic growth, but for social emotional growth and well-being.”
Any child who will be four-years-olds by Sept. 30, 2026 is eligible to attend pre-K at their neighborhood school. Children who turn three-years old by Sept. 30, 2026 can apply for the pre-K3 programs at Eastbank Head Start and Carver Early Learning Centers. Families must complete the Network Application process, which includes providing proof of residency and income verification, because some pre-K seats are funded through state and federal programs.
Applications for pre-K3 and pre-K4 will be available online in February 2026, and families are encouraged to apply at that time. The registration process requires families to submit certain paperwork to either Head Start site for processing. Families will be notified of their child’s placement in April and can expect to receive follow-up information directly from their child’s school shorty after.
Oertling said the reaction from families and community members has been positive.
“We’re really excited,” he said. “Our board, our staff, our partners—they’ve all supported this. We’re happy to be able to deliver universal pre-K for St. Charles Parish.”
