Henderson County Schools announced Friday that it will expand its preschool program and add preschool classrooms at four elementary schools beginning next school year.
Preschool classrooms in the 2026-2027 school year will be at A.B. Chandler Elementary School, Cairo Elementary School, Niagara Elementary School and Spottsville Elementary School, according to a Friday morning release from HCS. The preschool program at the Thelma B. Johnson Learning Center will continue.
“We want every child to have the chance to succeed, and that starts with a strong beginning,” said Superintendent Bob Lawson in a prepared statement. “By expanding our preschool program, we’re making sure more students get the early learning they need. Being ready for kindergarten is so important for future success, and this expansion helps us serve even more families throughout Henderson County.”
All preschool programs will operate on a full-day schedule, Monday through Thursday, said the release.
According to the release, the state-funded preschools can serve 3- and 4-year-old children with a diagnosed disability, as well as 4-year-old children who turn four by August 1, 2026, and meet income eligibility guidelines. A family must earn less than 160% of the federal poverty level to be eligible, said Lawson. Children with identified disabilities are eligible regardless of income, he said.
There’s also tuition-based preschool eligibility that allows children who turn three or four by Aug. 1, 2026, and do not meet requirements, said the release. Lawson did not say what the tuition costs will be.
He said ideally students will apply to attend the schools of the districts where they live. If parents wants their child to go to a school in a different district, they can fill out a form to change schools if spots are available, Lawson said.
Lawson told the Hendersonian that the program will have a cost to it, but didn’t have a specific number. He said that would come into focus after registration for the school year concludes and a total number of preschool students is known.
He said there will be significant upfront investment. He said there is space in the schools, but modifications to classrooms will need to be made. He also said playground equipment and supplies will be needed. He said the program will be included in the next year’s budget and will not need to be paid for through bonding.
In a follow-up email, Lawson said after the initial investment “there will be ongoing costs for staffing and materials after the first year.”
“…these investments are aligned with our mission to provide extraordinary educational opportunities for every student,” Lawson said in the email.
Additionally, the school system will hire five additional teachers and five additional teacher assistants for the program, Lawson said. The superintendent added that HCS would like to have 20 students in every preschool classroom in the district, and the goal for next year is to have 400 students enroll in preschool in the schools, including TBJ.
Open enrollment for the program begins on March 18, Lawson said.
In the interim, families that have questions about how to get their children signed up and if a child qualifies can contact Kasey Farmer Wolfe at 270-854-0141.
