Posted on: Monday, September 6, 2004
Pre-Plus adds three preschools
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer
Pre-Plus preschools at Jefferson, Fern and Waipahu elementary school sites are scheduled to open this month and an additional school could open if officials can resolve another hangup involving a fire hydrant on Kaimakani Street fronting 'Aiea Elementary School.
"We're very optimistic," Lillian Koller, state Human Services director, said of the projected September openings.
The Pre-Plus program of preschool education for low-income children is a public-private partnership: The state provides the buildings rent-free on school grounds, while licensed, accredited private providers bid to operate the preschools. The Legislature has approved $5 million to build facilities.
State comptroller Russ Saito said the Navy is willing to move a nonworking hydrant to the other side of Kaimakani Street to bypass a leak in the feeder line but the city will not permit the work without liability insurance. The parties have been negotiating for three weeks, according to Saito, who has asked his department's risk-management office to study the issue.
Pre-Plus programs at Jefferson and Fern, meanwhile, are close to opening.
Spencer Sharon Tengan, a program manager for O'ahu Head Start, said the state's Department of Human Services will inspect the Pre-Plus facility at Jefferson on Sept. 16. Three full-time teachers and the 20 first-time students are ready to go, added Tengan.
Parents and Children Together, meanwhile, will be the provider for Pre-Plus at Fern. DHS officials said all permits have been issued and all that remained as of Tuesday was for the contractor to correct "punch list" items cited during final inspection. The corrective work is expected to be completed by mid-September.
Lani Rae Lave, PACT's early Head Start/Head Start program manager, said three full-time teachers have been hired and 20 students have been selected for the Fern program. Lave said there is a great need for Pre-Plus in the Kalihi area.
"In the community we serve (Kalihi), there were 200 children not being served three years ago," Lave said. "We only have the Fern site and can only serve 20, but there's a greater need.
"Pre-Plus gives (families) better opportunities to be in the workforce and allows us to provide school readiness opportunities for children in preparing them for kindergarten," Lave added.
Pre-Plus at Waipahu Elementary is awaiting Department of Accounting and General Services' approval of grass installation for an enclosed outdoor play area and air conditioning to resolve excessive dust/dirt issues present when the mauka classroom windows and doors are left open.
The provider at Waipahu will be Kama'aina Kids.
The state will have a total 13 Pre-Plus preschools by early next year, when work at Waiau Elementary is completed.
Fire-access road construction at Waiau was halted until Oct. 4 at the request of the elementary school's principal due to concerns that the work would disrupt the school's operating schedule, said Saito.
It has taken nearly two years for the state to set up its first Pre-Plus venture.
"What was learned for the next go-around is we need much more collaboration between professionals and the community," Koller said of the site-selection process.
Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8181.
