Act 62, the new law relating to pre-kindergarten education, requires "...that the commissioners of education and for children and families jointly develop rules for adoption by the State Board of Education regarding the provision of pre-kindergarten education by or through a public school, when the school intends that at least some of the children will be counted in its average daily membership. Among other things, the rules would ensure collaboration with the community, existing providers, and parents" (excerpted from the summary of Act 62). Both the act and a summary of the act are attached.

The commissioners and staff from the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department for Children and Families (DCF) have had several meetings to discuss the rule-making process (see attached plan). They have assembled a Writing Group to create the first draft of the rules to discuss with stakeholders on August 30. (The draft will be emailed to stakeholders by August 20.) The Writing Group includes the following individuals: Manuela Fonseca (DOE), Kim Keiser (DCF), and Jim Squires (DOE). The attorneys who are part of the Writing Group are Diane Zamos (DCF), and Mark Oettinger & Barbara Crippen (DOE).
 
The following individuals are among those who have been identified as stakeholders: Barbara Postman; Barbara Saunders; Becky Gonyea; Bob Stevens; Bonnie McCardell; Cathi Wiest; Cheryl Wells; Dale Goldhaber; Gail Rafferty; Jeff Francis; John Nelson; Joel Cook; Kathy Buck; Kim Friedman; Wendy Love; Mark Sustic; Mary Barrosse Schwartz; Maureen Danielczyk; Melissa Riegel-Garret; Michelle Spence; Paul Behrman; Retta Dunlap; Stacie Avery; Sue Harding.

We are committed to bringing your views and suggestions to the stakeholders’ meetings. We will send out the first draft of the rules as soon as we receive it; we encourage you to contact us with your input at that time. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact us with any other questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Barbara Postman
Legislative Director, 229-6377 or bpostman@voicesforv tkids.org
Kids Are Priority One Coalition Sponsoring Organization: Voices for Vermont’s Children
 
Melissa Riegel-Garrett
Media Coordinator, 233-2040 or child33@verizon. net
Kids Are Priority One Coalition Sponsoring Organization: VT Association for the Education of Young Children (VAEYC)
 
Kim Friedman
Organizing Director, 348-9879 or kfriedman@windhamch ildcare.org
Kids Are Priority One Coalition Sponsoring Organization: Windham Child Care Association
 
Kids Are Priority One is Vermont's statewide early childhood coalition of individuals,
organizations and businesses committed to ensuring that every child in Vermont gets a good start.